TOKYO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Friday, as a weaker yen lifted exporter shares and banks gained on rising U.S. and Japanese bond yields.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, gained 23.12 points, or 0.05 percent, from the previous day to close at 42,633.29.
The yen traded around the mid-148 level against the U.S. dollar, about one yen weaker than Wednesday evening, spurring buying in auto shares such as Toyota and Mazda.
Mitsubishi UFJ and other banks rose on expectations of wider lending margins, while insurers like Tokio Marine also advanced.
The broader Topix index went up 17.92 points, or 0.58 percent, to 3,100.87.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, advancers outnumbered decliners 1,013 to 547, with 60 issues unchanged. ■
