Tokyo stocks opened higher Tuesday led by heavyweight technology-related shares, with investor sentiment lifted by gains on Wall Street overnight.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 250.48 points, or 0.67 percent, from Monday to 37,689.09. The broader Topix index was up 12.98 points, or 0.49 percent, at 2,675.44.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by insurance, wholesale trade and securities house issues.
The U.S. dollar was firm in the upper 154 yen level after hitting a new 34-year high of 154.85 yen in New York overnight amid prospects that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than expected following recent strong economic data.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 154.80-83 yen compared with 154.80-90 yen in New York and 154.65-67 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0653-0654 and 164.91-96 yen against $1.0648-0658 and 164.91-165.01 yen in New York and $1.0658-0659 and 164.83-87 yen in Tokyo late Monday afternoon.
