Tokyo stocks moved higher in early trading Wednesday, led by technology shares that tracked overnight rises among their U.S. counterparts.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 193.45 points, or 0.57 percent, from Tuesday to 33,956.63. The broader Topix index was up 6.41 points, or 0.27 percent, at 2,419.50.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by precision instrument, pharmaceutical and wholesale trade issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 144.42-43 yen compared with 144.42-52 yen in New York and 144.06-07 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0930-0934 and 157.85-92 yen against $1.0926-0936 and 157.88-98 yen in New York and $1.0956-0957 and 157.84-88 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
