Tokyo  - Japan's markets were up Tuesday, the last trading day of the year.

The Nikkei index of 225 leading values rose sharply by 112.39 points, or 1.28 per cent, to 8,859.56. The broader-based TOPIX climbed 4.47 points, or 0.52 per cent, to 859.24.

The Nikkei is set to close out its worst year ever, falling 42 per cent in 2008.

The dollar traded at 90.62-65 yen after 90.35-37 yen late Monday. The euro was at 1.4030-35 dollars after 1.4268-69 dollars on Monday. (dpa)