Stock Market

Japans Nikkei average rose 3 percent on Wednesday, with carmakers such as Honda Motor Co climbing on relief that a decision on struggling US automakers could be near, prompting bargain hunting. Sony Corp and other exporters gained on a brief bounce in the dollar after the Bank of Japans tankan survey of business sentiment showed confidence tumbling at its fastest pace on record, while tech shares rose in the wake of gains by their US peers.