Tokyo stocks rose Monday morning, with the Nikkei index hitting a new all-time high as a wide range of issues were bought following Wall Street gains last week.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 211.12 points, or 0.54 percent, from Thursday to 39,309.80. The broader Topix index was up 22.37 points, or 0.84 percent, at 2,683.08. Japanese markets were closed Friday for a public holiday.
The U.S. dollar remained mostly unchanged in the mid-150 yen level in Tokyo amid a lack of fresh trading cues.
At noon, the U.S. dollar fetched 150.48-51 yen compared with 150.49-59 yen in New York at 5 p.m. Friday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0815-0819 and 162.74-84 yen against $1.0816-0826 and 162.81-91 yen in New York late Friday afternoon.
Stocks were higher from the outset, with buying spurred by the U.S. Dow Jones index's record close late last week after the benchmark Nikkei set a new all-time high Thursday for the first time since December 1989.
But gains were limited as investors awaited a fresh batch of Japanese and U.S. economic data due out later this week, following U.S. chip giant Nvidia Corp.'s positive earnings and outlook last Wednesday, analysts said.
"To surpass 40,000, a positive outlook for the Japanese economy or some other catalyst seems necessary. This week is therefore likely to be one of consolidation toward solidifying the base for breaching the 40,000 threshold," said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist in the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.
