The Japanese stock market closed higher as concerns about the US economic outlook temporarily eased. Heavy industry and real estate stocks led the gains. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rose by 12%, IHI by 9.7%, and Mitsui Fudosan by 3.2%. The Nikkei average increased by 0.9% to 37,396.52 points. Investors are paying attention to any developments related to Japan's monetary policy ahead of the two-day policy meeting that starts on Tuesday. The yield on Japan's 10-year government bonds fell by 1 basis point to 1.505%. The exchange rate of the US dollar to the yen was 148.80, compared to 148.63 yen at the end of the market in New York last Friday.