【bridge background】Tokyo stocks end higher over improved sentiment

TOKYO,bridge background Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Friday amid improved market sentiment tracking Wall Street gains as well as a weaker yen.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 285.22 points, or 0.74 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 38,647.75, its highest level in a month.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, closed 19.61 points, or 0.73 percent, higher at 2,712.63.

Market watchers here noted that the gains were fueled by bullish investor sentiment after the Dow Jones Industrial Average in the overnight U.S. market reached a new all-time high.

The final trading day of the month also saw buying as institutional investors adjusted their portfolios, which pushed the Nikkei higher toward the close, according to local analysts.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by issues related to nonferrous metal, marine transportation and wholesale trade.

Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones by 1,107 to 474, with 65 issues remaining unchanged.

SoftBank Group, TDK, and Recruit Holdings were among the notable gainers, while Terumo Corporation and Nitori Holdings saw declines.