Nikkei Gains Helped by Weaker Yen; Toshiba Dives

Japan's Nikkei share average snapped a four-day losing streak on Thursday, helped by a weaker yen as the dollar gained after a private jobs report cemented expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week.

The Nikkei gained 0.3 percent at 19,318.58.

Toshiba Corp dived 7.2 percent and was the fourth most traded stock by turnover after sources told Reuters Westinghouse Electric Co LLC, the U.S. nuclear power plant developer it owns, has brought in bankruptcy attorneys from law firm Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP.

The broader Topix added 0.3 percent to 1,554.68, while the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 also rose 0.3 percent, to 13,910.16.

Buying continued to fuel small cap stocks. The Nikkei Jasdaq index rose for the 20th straight session, its longest winning streak since early 2004.

(Reporting by Ayai Tomisawa; Editing by Richard Borsuk)