Tokyo stocks open higher on Wall St. gains as financial fears ease

Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as concerns over the financial systems in the United States and Europe abated.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 304.78 points, or 1.10 percent, from Thursday to 28,087.71. The broader Topix index was up 20.56 points, or 1.04 percent, at 2,003.88.

Gainers were led by precision instrument, iron and steel, and electric appliance shares.

At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 133.19-21 yen compared with 132.70-80 yen in New York and 132.40-42 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0903-0907 and 145.23-27 yen against $1.0899-0909 and 144.71-81 yen in New York and $1.0854-0855 and 143.71-75 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

© Kyodo News