Nikkei hits 6-yr high as Casio, property shares up

TOKYO, Feb 2 (Reuters) The Nikkei share average gained 0.48 percent on Friday after hitting its highest in more than six years, as investors snapped up shares of companies that reported upbeat earnings figures such as Casio Computer Co. Ltd. and Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd.

Investors also bought property shares including Sumitomo Realty&Development Co. Ltd. on expectations that developers can expect a healthy return on their investments thanks to low interest rates and a strong real estate market in Japan.

SUMCO Corp. advanced following a report that the silicon-wafer maker plans to invest about