Japan’s Nikkei share average fell on Thursday on news of the European Central Bank’s hardline stance on Greek debt and fresh falls in oil prices, but Sony Corp soared after raising its outlook.

The Nikkei share average ended 1 per cent lower at 17,504.62.

The broader Topix fell 0.5 per cent to 1,410.11 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 dropped 0.6 per cent to 12,778.26.

Sony shares surged 12 per cent to post their biggest daily gain in two years after the electronics and entertainment group raised its full-year forecast to signal the worst of its troubles may be over. It was the most traded stock by turnover.