TOKYO, Dec 19 - Tokyo's Nikkei average <.N225> closed nearly two percent higher on Friday as investors bought Sony Corp <6758.T> and other blue-chip exporters after healthy U.S. economic data sent U.S. stocks to 19-month highs. Advantest Corp <6857.T> and other chip-equipment makers were also bought as U.S. semiconductor industry data pointed to a robust upturn next year. The Nikkei ended up 1.79 percent at 10,284.54, after jumping as much as two percent right before the closing. The broader TOPIX index <.TOPX> gained 1.31 percent to 1,008.61.//