TOKYO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Tuesday amid the bullish performance of stocks in the semiconductor sector, while the weak yen pushed buying of export-related stocks.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, went up by 426.09 points, or 1.08 percent, from Monday to close the day at 39,773.13.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 26.37 points, or 0.97 percent, higher at 2,754.69.
Market watchers here noted that Tokyo Electron, SCREEN Holdings, Lasertec, and others were bought on speculation that inquiries for manufacturing equipment will increase after the U.S. government announced a subsidy of up to 6.6 billion U.S. dollars for a new plant of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to be built in the state of Arizona.
Local analysts also pointed out that speculative buying occurred in Mitsui, Sumitomo Corporation, and Mitsubishi, as the renowned investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is preparing to issue yen-denominated corporate bonds. The investment company has been buying stocks of Japan's five largest trading companies.
On the Prime Market, gainers were led by nonferrous metal, wholesale trade and air transportation issues.
Issues that advanced outpaced those that declined by 1,155 to 441, while 56 ended the day unchanged. ■
