Tokyo stocks were slightly higher in early trading Wednesday as technology shares tracked overnight moves higher by their U.S. counterparts, although advances were limited on concerns long-term interest rates may rise in Japan.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 27.30 points, or 0.07 percent, from Tuesday to 38,882.67. The broader Topix index was up 2.23 points, or 0.08 percent, at 2,770.73.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by insurance, mining, and oil and coal product issues.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond rose 0.015 percentage point from Tuesday's close to 1.050 percent in early trading Wednesday, its highest level in about 12 years.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 157.27-28 yen compared with 157.15-25 yen in New York and 156.88-90 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0849-0853 and 170.62-70 yen against $1.0852-0862 and 170.60-70 yen in New York and $1.0877-0878 and 170.64-68 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
