Tokyo stocks opened higher Thursday, with the Nikkei index hitting a new 34-year intraday high, as buying was led by technology issues following advances by their U.S. counterparts overnight.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 393.34 points, or 1.04 percent, from Wednesday to 38,096.66. The broader Topix index was up 10.39 points, or 0.40 percent, at 2,594.98.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by insurance, machinery, and oil and coal product issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 150.55-56 yen compared with 150.56-66 yen in New York and 150.44-46 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0732-0733 and 161.57-60 yen against $1.0722-0732 and 161.51-61 yen in New York and $1.0707-0708 and 161.08-12 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
