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

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks opened sharply higher Monday, with the benchmark Nikkei index climbing over 2 percent, as investors were heartened by Japan's ruling coalition retaining a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives following Sunday's general election.

       In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average jumped 678.85 points, or 2.35 percent, from Friday to 29,571.54. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 34.09 points, or 1.70 percent, at 2,035.27.

       Gainers were led by machinery, food and electric appliance issues.

       The LDP and its smaller partner Komeito secured 291 of the 465 seats in the powerful chamber of parliament, providing relief to market players as the outcome meant the coalition effectively controls all standing committees and can steer the legislative process, brokers said.

       In the foreign exchange market, the dollar rose slightly to the lower 114 yen zone amid improved risk appetite.

       At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 114.23-24 yen compared with 113.98-114.08 yen in New York and 113.60-61 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.

       The euro was quoted at $1.1558-1559 and 132.02-09 yen against $1.1557-1567 and 131.75-85 yen in New York and $1.1670-1671 and 132.57-61 yen in Tokyo late Friday afternoon.

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