Nikkei rebounds 3 pct on BOJ easing hopes; Fast Retailing jumps

TOKYO, April 3 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average jumped 3 percent on Wednesday, its biggest one-day rise in two months, as investors bought beaten-down shares on expectations that the central bank will announce more easing steps on Thursday. A nearly 14 percent surge in index heavyweight Fast Retailing Co, after its Uniqlo fashion chain in Japan posted strong March same-store sales, also contributed to the Nikkei's rally. The benchmark Nikkei rose 358.77 points to close at 12,362.20 af