TOKYO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed sharply higher on Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei closing at a fresh record high, boosted by solid overnight gains on Wall Street.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 812.06 points, or 2.03 percent, from Tuesday at 40,815.66, extending its winning streak to three trading days.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 45.24 points, or 1.64 percent, higher at 2,796.21, its highest level since January 1990.
Japanese financial markets were closed Wednesday for national holiday.
Market watchers here noted a wide range of issues were sought throughout the day, supported by record high closes on three key U.S. stock indexes overnight after the Federal Reserve signaled three interest rate cuts this year.
Market participants felt a clear sense of security that the Fed was leaning toward slight monetary easing, analysts said.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by pulp and paper, wholesale trade and bank issues. ■