This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Tuesday after the full approval of Pfizer Inc.'s coronavirus vaccine by U.S. authorities and a fresh effort to tackle the COVID-19 resurgence by the Japanese government raised hopes for a normalization of economic activities.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 237.86 points, or 0.87 percent, from Monday at 27,732.10. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 19.06 points, or 1.00 percent, higher at 1,934.20.

       Gainers were led by marine transportation, air transportation, and iron and steel issues.

       The U.S. dollar was capped in the upper 109 yen range after trimming gains overnight from the lower 110 yen zone, as the currency was sold on expectations of a narrower interest rate gap between the United States and Japan following a slight fall in Treasury yields, dealers said.

       Shares were higher from the outset, supported by gains in stocks related to leisure, such as department stores and airlines, amid hopes for an accelerated economic recovery with further progress in the vaccine rollout, brokers said.

       "Investors expected the full approval of the Pfizer vaccine in the United States would encourage Japanese people who have been hesitant to get inoculated to receive shots," said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist in the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.

       The Pfizer vaccine is the main one administered by Japanese local governments to residents.

       Brokers cited the request issued Monday by the Japanese health ministry to all hospitals in Tokyo to secure sufficient beds and accept as many COVID-19 patients as possible as contributing to the Nikkei's advance, because the measure should relieve the strain on the country's medical system.

       In addition, the central government's consideration of an expansion of the COVID-19 state of emergency beyond Tokyo and 12 other prefectures was welcomed by the market, they said.

       Investors saw such measures "positively" since market sentiment was improved by overnight gains in New York and other Asian markets Tuesday, with an expansion of the state of emergency expected to help curb COVID-19 infections, said Yutaka Miura, senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities Co.

       On the First Section, advancing issues outnumbered decliners 1,702 to 387, while 101 ended unchanged.

       Among shares related to leisure activities, department store operators Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings climbed 17 yen, or 2.4 percent, to 714 yen, Takashimaya rose 35 yen, 3.3 percent, to 1,109 yen and J. Front Retailing, the operator of the Daimaru and Matsuzakaya department stores, was up 34 yen, or 3.7 percent, at 941 yen.

       Tokyo Disney Resort operator Oriental Land also advanced 320 yen, or 2.0 percent, to 16,245 yen.

       Trading volume on the main section dropped to 784.44 million shares from Monday's 944.16 million shares.

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