TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks closed higher on Friday on a report that the US Federal Reserve could soon pause interest rate hikes, news that also boosted US markets. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended up 0.82 percent, or 177.06 points, at 21,678.68. Over the week, the index lost 3.01 percent. The broader Topix index gained 0.61 percent, or 9.85 points, to close at 1,620.45. Over the week, the index fell 2.82 percent. “Japanese […]