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* BOJ examining easing monetary policy again -Nikkei

* Weaker yen lifts exporters after report on the BOJ

* Eyes on Friday’s U.S. jobs data

By Aiko Hayashi

TOKYO, March 5 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average rose 2.1
percent on Friday, as a report that the Bank of Japan was
considering monetary easing steps helped the yen to weaken and
after better-than-expected U.S. monthly retail sales.

Exporters such as Kyocera Corp (6971.T) led the climb, while
Canon Inc (7751.T) jumped after declaring its bid for Oce
(OCEN.AS) unconditional, sending a clear message to shareholders
holding out for a better deal that it is set to tie up the
acquisition. [ID:nTOE62308E]

The Nikkei newspaper reported that the Bank of Japan has
begun examining a further easing of its already ultra-loose
monetary policy and may make a decision on such a move as early
as this month. [ID:nTOE6230A7]

“In addition to a solid performance from U.S. stocks,
investors are welcoming a halt in the yen’s advance against the
dollar after a media report that the BOJ is considering
additional easing measures,” said Mitsuo Shimizu, deputy general
manager at Cosmo Securities.

“If dollar/yen climbs back above 90 yen, the Nikkei could
break out of range-bound trade, with the next target likely being
around 10,500.”

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 climbed 209.91 points to
10,355.63, erasing a 1.1 percent decline booked the previous day.

The broader Topix added 1.5 percent to 911.34.

Market players said further gains were unlikely ahead of U.S.
jobs data later in the day. Another focus is China’s annual
session of the National People’s Congress, which opens on Friday
with a policy report from Premier Wen Jiabao. [ID:nTOE62204A]

The dollar gained 0.3 percent to 89.31 yen JPY= in early
Asia trade. [FRX/] Investors welcome a weaker yen as it boosts
exporters’ profits when they are repatriated.

Shinsei Bank (8303.T) jumped 3 percent to 103 yen after Jiji
news agency reported on Thursday that it and Aozora Bank
(8304.T), two mid-size Japanese lenders owned by U.S. funds, are
resuming their merger talks. [ID:nTOE623092]

Concern the deal could be scrapped has weighed on the stock
price of Shinsei, which has the weaker capital base of the two
banks. Aozora rose 0.8 percent to 121 yen. [ID:nTOE61E01P]
(Editing by Joseph Radford)