Tokyo stocks were sharply higher in early Monday trading with beaten-down companies purchased amid improved investor sentiment after rises on Wall Street late last week.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 606.44 points, or 1.88 percent, from Friday to 32,914.30. The broader Topix index was up 36.34 points, or 1.56 percent, at 2,360.81.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by wholesale trade, oil and coal product, and machinery issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 144.97-145.00 yen compared with 144.90-145.00 yen in New York and 144.08-10 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0764-0768 and 156.05-14 yen against $1.0756-0766 and 155.99-156.09 yen in New York and $1.0779-0781 and 155.31-35 yen in Tokyo late Friday afternoon.
