The Nikkei gained 379.54 points, or 2.96 per cent, to end at 13,213.55 after falling 1.04 per cent Wednesday.
The broader-based Topix index was up 29.55 points, or 2.76 per cent, at 1,098.83 after losing 0.87 per cent Wednesday.
By mid-afternoon, China's Shanghai Composite Index had climbed 0.15 per cent.
On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at 97.82-83 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 97.57-59 yen.
The euro was quoted at 127.46-49 yen, down from 127.56-60 yen late Wednesday, and at 1.3033-3034 dollars, down from 1.3073-3075 dollars.//DPA