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

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Tuesday, with the benchmark Nikkei topping the 30,000 threshold for the first time in five months, on continued hopes for a possible economic stimulus under a new ruling party leader to be chosen later this month.

       The key index last topped the 30,000 line on an intraday basis on April 9. The broader Topix index also continued to rise after logging its highest close on Monday since Aug. 16, 1990, when the Japanese economy was experiencing an asset-inflated bubble.

       In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 351.72 points, or 1.19 percent, from Monday to 30,011.61. The Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 26.80 points, or 1.31 percent, at 2,068.02.

       Gainers were led by electric appliance, transportation equipment and nonferrous metal issues.

       At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 109.81-82 yen compared with 109.89-91 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday, when financial markets in the United States were closed due to a national holiday.

       The euro was quoted at $1.1873-1873 and 130.38-39 yen against $1.1862-1864 and 130.35-39 yen in Tokyo late Monday afternoon.

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