Tokyo stocks opened sharply higher Friday, with the Nikkei index moving closer to its all-time high, on buying of technology shares after Wall Street gains overnight.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 614.95 points, or 1.61 percent, from Thursday to 38,772.89. The broader Topix index was up 31.65 points, or 1.22 percent, at 2,623.50.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by oil and coal product, mining and wholesale trade issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 149.94-97 yen compared with 149.86-96 yen in New York and 150.20-21 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0771-0775 and 161.50-59 yen against $1.0768-0778 and 161.46-56 yen in New York and $1.0733-0734 and 161.22-26 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.
