TOKYO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher on Monday, the first trading day of 2026, boosted by heavyweight technology shares and exporters on a weaker yen.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 1,493.32 points, or 2.97 percent, from last Tuesday to 51,832.80.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 68.55 points, or 2.01 percent, higher at 3,477.52.
Japanese financial markets were closed from Wednesday of last week for the New Year holidays.
The U.S. dollar strengthened to the lower 157 yen range in Tokyo. Exporters climbed on the yen's depreciation, while investors bought back shares after the benchmark Nikkei index fell over the past two trading days.
The market was also supported by heavyweight chip and artificial intelligence-related issues tracking advances by their U.S. counterparts late last week, analysts said. ■
