This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Oct. 2, 2020. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Friday as sentiment was buoyed after high-tech shares attracted buying on a weaker yen and overnight gains on the technology-heavy Nasdaq index.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 176.71 points, or 0.58 percent, from Thursday at 30,500.05. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 10.01 points, or 0.48 percent, higher at 2,100.17.

       Gainers were led by service, information and communication, and electric appliance issues.

       The U.S. dollar rose slightly in the upper 109 yen range in Tokyo as the unit was bought after U.S. retail sales data for August unexpectedly increased, dealers said.

       At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 109.94-95 yen compared with 109.70-80 yen in New York and 109.35-36 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

       The euro was quoted at $1.1772-1774 and 129.42-46 yen against $1.1762-1772 and 129.10-20 yen in New York and $1.1781-1782 and 128.83-87 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

       The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond inched up 0.005 percentage point from Thursday's close to 0.045 percent, tracking an overnight rise in long-term Treasury yields.

       The Nikkei index was supported by gains in high-tech issues throughout the day, with sentiment further pushed up by advances in U.S. stock futures, following two days of losses after the benchmark and Topix index hit their highest levels in 31 years earlier this week.

       "There was robust buying of chip-related issues, and a lot of energy toward scooping up a broad range of shares despite a lack of fresh trading cues," said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist in the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.

       A rise in Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also provided a sense of relief for the market a day after it fell to its lowest level this year, he added.

       Meanwhile, the market was continued to be aided by high expectations for fresh fiscal policies from a new government as official campaigning began for the upcoming ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race slated for Sept. 29, which will effectively determine Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's successor, Kamitani said.

       On the First Section, advancing issues outnumbered decliners 1,423 to 645, while 119 ended unchanged.

       Chip-related issues were boosted by overnight gains for the Nasdaq index. Advantest climbed 270 yen, or 2.4 percent, to 11,350 yen, Tokyo Electron rose 680 yen, or 1.2 percent, to 55,430 yen, and Taiyo Yuden advanced 140 yen, or 1.9 percent, to 7,660 yen.

       Some exporters were supported after the yen weakened against the dollar. Electronics manufacturer Sony Group gained 45 yen, or 0.4 percent, to 12,315 yen, while Fanuc was up 335 yen, or 1.3 percent, to 26,630 yen.

       Trading volume on the main section rose to 1,599.33 million shares from Thursday's 1,261.50 million shares.

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