The Nikkei stock index opened higher Thursday, supported by Wall Street gains overnight that sent the Dow Jones index to a record high.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 221.74 points, or 0.61 percent, from Wednesday to 36,341.66. The broader Topix index was down 1.79 points, or 0.07 percent, at 2,548.16.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by iron and steel, and transportation equipment shares, while electric power and gas, and land transportation issues were the main decliners.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 148.08-11 yen compared with 148.12-22 yen in New York and 147.82-83 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0774-0778 and 159.54-63 yen against $1.0767-0777 and 159.58-68 yen in New York and $1.0772-0774 and 159.24-28 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
