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

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended slightly higher Friday as sentiment was lifted on a slew of upbeat domestic earnings reports released the previous day, but gains were capped by lingering uncertainty over possible outcomes of Sunday's general election.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 72.60 points, or 0.25 percent, from Thursday at 28,892.69. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 1.52 points, or 0.08 percent, higher at 2,001.18.

       Gainers were led by marine transportation, pulp and paper, and food issues.

       The U.S. dollar hovered mainly in the upper 113 yen range as selling after slower-than-expected growth in U.S. gross domestic product for the July-September quarter was offset by buying from Japanese importers for settlement purposes, dealers said.

       In the morning, stocks mainly moved in negative territory on news reports suggesting the ruling Liberal Democratic Party may struggle to retain its majority in the upcoming House of Representatives election.

       The ruling party lost one of two House of Councillors by-elections last weekend, leading to worries the government under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could be short-lived if the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito party loses too many seats.

       However, the Nikkei index reversed course, eking out gains in the afternoon, supported by firms that released upbeat earnings Thursday, while some investors scooped up battered shares ahead of the weekend.

       "The LDP led by Prime Minister Kishida needs to maintain a strong majority to preserve his political stability, which has become a high hurdle (for the party)," said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank.

       "The results of the election will determine to what extent the party will be able to implement its policies," he added.

       Market sentiment was also weighed down after the third-quarter earnings of Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. fell short of expectations, prompting investors to unload shares in after-hours U.S. trading, brokers said.

       On the First Section, declining issues outnumbered advancers 1,052 to 1,026, while 106 ended unchanged.

       Sony Group gained 245 yen, or 1.9 percent, to 13,140 yen after the electronics giant reported on Thursday brisk earnings for the first fiscal half that exceeded market expectations. It also announced it is considering cooperating with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in building a chip plant in Japan.

       Fuji Electric surged 585 yen, or 11.8 percent, to 5,550 yen after the firm reported strong earnings Thursday and revised its profit forecast upward for the business year through March from its previous estimate in July.

       Meanwhile, Alps Alpine plummeted 76 yen, or 6.4 percent, to 1,110 yen, after the firm, a supplier for Apple, revised its earnings forecast downward Thursday for the business year through March from its April estimate.

       Trading volume on the main section fell to 1,564.98 million shares from Thursday's 2,212.79 million shares.

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