Nikkei rises above 16,000 on industrial output data

TOKYO, Nov 29 (Reuters) Japan's Nikkei share average rose above 16,000 for the first time in more than a week after a surprise rise in industrial output data sparked buying of a wide range of stocks including Softbank Corp.

As of 0016 GMT, the Nikkei was up 0.95 per cent or 150.58 points at 16,005.84, above the psychologically key 16,000 for the first time since Nov. 20. The broader TOPIX index was up 0.92 per cent at 1,569.42.

Government data released before the open showed that Japan's industrial production rose 1.6 per cent in October from a month earlier, compared with a median market forecast of a 0.5 per cent decline.

REUTERS SBA BST0600