Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesday following sharp gains on Wall Street after weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data raised hopes that the Federal Reserve may slow the pace of interest rate hikes.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 173.02 points, or 0.64 percent, from Tuesday to 27,165.23. The broader Topix index was up 11.92 points, or 0.63 percent, at 1,918.81.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by marine transportation, air transportation and insurance issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 143.84-87 yen compared with 144.11-21 yen in New York and 144.65-67 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $0.9982-9986 and 143.59-66 yen against $0.9983-9993 and 143.82-92 yen in New York and $0.9874-9876 and 142.83-87 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
