TOKYO, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Thursday, as dip-buying kicked in after the market's three-day losing streak.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 117.90 points, or 0.31 percent, from Wednesday at 38,079.70.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 14.30 points, or 0.54 percent, higher at 2,677.45.
Stocks were initially dragged down by semiconductor-related shares that tracked their U.S. counterparts overnight. But the market later trimmed losses as many investors likely thought it was a good time to buy after the Nikkei lost over 1,500 points in the previous three trading days, analysts said.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by textile and apparel, air transportation, and insurance shares. ■