Tokyo stocks open higher as sentiment bolstered by hopes for U.S. tax reform

TOKYO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Monday as investor sentiment was bolstered by Wall Street's solid gains at the end of last week on the back of improved hopes for a bill on U.S. tax reform to be passed.

As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 200.40 points, or 0.89 percent, from Friday to 22,753.62.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 14.68 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,808.15.

Bank, electric appliance, and pulp and paper-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.