Tokyo stocks end higher

Tokyo shares closed higher on Thursday, with investors encouraged by rising US stock futures and budding hopes for a transition away from monetary tightening.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index added 0.70 per cent, or 190.77 points, to end at 27,311.30, while the broader Topix index rose 0.50 per cent, or 9.55 points, to 1,922.47.

The dollar stood at 144.52 yen, against 144.59 yen seen Wednesday in New York.

Higher US futures and expectations for a shift away from runaway inflation helped Tokyo stocks on Thursday, Makoto Sengoku, market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute, told AFP.

Investors have also taken heart from a smaller-than-expected 0.25 per cent point rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia.