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

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Tuesday as energy shares were buoyed by a rise in crude oil prices, while investors scooped up shares following the Nikkei index's decline to a two-week low the previous day.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 45.02 points, or 0.16 percent, from Monday at 28,643.21. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 5.51 points, or 0.28 percent, higher at 1,954.50.

       Gainers were led by air transportation, oil and coal product, and mining issues.

       The U.S. dollar was steady in the upper 110 yen range in the absence of fresh trading cues, with U.S. financial markets mostly closed Monday for a public holiday, dealers said.

       Nikkei heavyweights such as Fast Retailing and SoftBank Group supported the market throughout the day, brokers said.

       "Investors bought back shares following declines the previous day amid a lack of new trading signals," said Koichi Fujishiro, a senior economist at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

       While expectations that the Japanese government will extend the coronavirus quasi-state of emergency have dented investor sentiment, the fall in the number of COVID-19 patients with serious symptoms amid a steady vaccine rollout has been a positive factor for the market, he added.

       The government is considering maintaining the quasi-emergency beyond its initially scheduled end next Sunday as Tokyo grapples with a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, according to sources close to the matter.

       The capital reported 342 new cases Monday, exceeding the number logged a week earlier for the 16th straight day.

       On the First Section, advancing issues outnumbered decliners 1,142 to 896, while 153 ended unchanged.

       Crude oil futures briefly rose to their highest level since October 2018 in New York trading overnight after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major oil producers postponed their scheduled meeting Monday amid a standoff over production levels.

       In the oil sector, Cosmo Energy Holdings advanced 88 yen, or 3.4 percent, to 2,642 yen, Eneos Holdings was up 7.30 yen, or 1.6 percent, at 477.30 yen and Inpex climbed 15 yen, or 1.8 percent, to 857 yen.

       Among blue chips, Fast Retailing rose 370 yen, or 0.5 percent, to 81,870 yen and SoftBank Group advanced 74 yen, or 1.0 percent, to 7,465 yen.

       Trading volume on the main section rose to 794.25 million shares from Monday's 774.29 million shares.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0