Tokyo stocks surged more than 3 per cent Wednesday as credit concerns eased, boosting the US market overnight and a weaker yen helped export-oriented issues. ( dpa )
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 422.69 points, or 3.34 per cent, to 13,079.11. The key index rose above 13,000 level for the first time in three weeks.
The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also jumped 40.74 points, or 3.31 per cent, to 1,271.23.
On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 101.55-60 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 100.10-13 yen. A weaker yen helps boost earnings of Japanese firms and makes their products more expensive abroad.
The euro was quoted at 1.5615-20 dollars, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 1.5680-83 dollars, and at 158.57-62 yen, up from 156.99-157.03 yen.