Nikkei ends above 16,600 as dividends in focus

TOKYO, Mar 20 (Reuters) The Nikkei share average rose 1.74 percent to end above 16,600 for the first time in more than a month on Monday as investors bought companies with high dividends such as Nikko Cordial Corp.

Dentsu Inc. jumped after news that it has been appointed as the sales representative for the Asian broadcasting rights to FIFA World Cups and other FIFA events from 2007 to 2014, while Softbank Corp.

rose on news that it would buy Vodafone Group Plc's Japan unit.

The Nikkei rose 285.07 points to 16,624.80, the highest close since Feb. 7. The broader TOPIX index gained 1.46 percent to 1,688.22.

REUTERS KD PM1246