Nikkei posts best year since 1972 as Abenomics drives gains

TOKYO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose to a fresh six-year high to close out 2013 with a 57 percent annual gain, its biggest in more than 40 years on the back of aggressive economic stimulus by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Nikkei rose for a ninth day to end 0.7 percent higher at 16,291.31 on Monday, its longest winning streak since July 2009. Mazda Motor Corp was the Nikkei's best performer in 2013, gaining 213 percent. Softbank Corp came in second with a 193 perc