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

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Thursday, extending their winning streak to three days on hopes for global economic recovery following approval of an oral COVID-19 drug in the United States.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 236.16 points, or 0.83 percent, from Wednesday at 28,798.37. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 17.92 points, or 0.91 percent, higher at 1,989.43.

       Gainers were led by mining, air transportation and marine transportation issues.

       The U.S. dollar was stuck in the lower 114 yen range, caught in a tug-of-war between selling following an overnight dip in U.S. Treasury yields, and buying on increased risk appetite due to the rise in Tokyo stocks, dealers said.

       At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 114.25-27 yen compared with 114.07-17 yen in New York and 114.14-16 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

       The euro was quoted at $1.1328-1329 and 129.43-47 yen against $1.1322-1332 and 129.22-32 yen in New York and $1.1267-1268 and 128.60-64 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.

       The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond inched up 0.005 percentage point from Wednesday's close to 0.060 percent, as investors sold the safe-haven debt after Tokyo stocks advanced. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

       The stock market gained in subdued trading, moving in a narrow range throughout the day on firm Asian markets, while sentiment was raised after U.S. regulators approved the emergency use of the first oral COVID-19 drug, developed by Pfizer Inc., brokers said.

       "The authorization of the new drug lifted expectations that its widespread use may prevent future lockdowns and limit potential restrictions in movement despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases," said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Co.

       However, gains were capped as the community transmission of the Omicron variant in Osaka raised fresh concerns, with focus on how the government will try to prevent its spread, he added.

       Japan reported Wednesday that three family members in the western prefecture had been infected with the new strain despite having no history of traveling overseas.

       On the First Section, advancing issues outnumbered decliners 1,421 to 646, while 117 ended unchanged.

       Eisai plunged 645 yen, or 9.1 percent, to 6,477 yen, after Japan's health ministry refused to approve its new Alzheimer's disease drug jointly developed with U.S. pharmaceutical giant Biogen Inc., saying more data are needed to judge its effectiveness.

       Hitachi sank 197 yen, or 3.2 percent, to 6,049 yen, after its auto parts subsidiary Hitachi Astemo Ltd. admitted Wednesday to inspection lapses, including cheating on quality tests, for around 20 years.

       Tokyu Fudosan Holdings gained 27 yen, or 4.4 percent, to 640 yen, after the real estate firm said Wednesday its subsidiary and variety store operator Tokyu Hands Inc. is to be bought by DIY store giant Cainz Corp.

       Volume on the main section fell to 813.50 million shares from Wednesday's 874.92 million shares.

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