TOKYO – The Nikkei share price index rose more than 4 percent at the start of Friday, following earlier increases on Wall Street as expectations grew for a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a settlement with Iran might be finalized within several days.
At 9:21 a.m., the Nikkei Stock Average, which includes 225 issues, increased by 2,587.61 points, or 4.03 percent, rising to 66,804.88 from the previous day's level. Meanwhile, the wider Topix index gained 80.79 points, or 2.11 percent, reaching 3,911.14.
In the leading Prime Market, the significant increases were seen in non-ferrous metals, electrical appliances, and glass and ceramics-related stocks.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar was exchanged for 160.13-15 yen, whereas it stood at 159.88-98 yen in New York and 160.50-51 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
The euro traded at $1.1575–1578 and 185.35–37 yen compared to $1.1574–1584 and 184.88–98 yen in New York, and reached $1.1544–1546 and 185.29–33 yen in Tokyo during late Thursday afternoon.