Tokyo stocks close higher on soft yen, investors seek high-yielding dividend stocks

TOKYO, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Monday as a softer yen against the U.S. dollar early on set a positive tone and saw exporter-linked issues given a boost, with investors also piling into issues with high-yielding dividends before the end of the first half of the fiscal year.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 101.13 points, or 0.50 percent, from Friday to close the day at 20,397.58.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 8.21 points, or 0.49 percent, to finish at 1,672.82.

Rubber product, information and communication, and pharmaceutical-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.