Nikkei ends at six-week high as yen's soft tone lifts exporters

Tokyo shares closed higher Tuesday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index ending at a six-week high as investor sentiment was bolstered by the yen's retreat against the US dollar.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 73.68 points, or 0.35 per cent, from Monday to close the day at 21,392.10, marking its highest closing level since Aug. 1, reports Xinhua.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 6.88 points, or 0.44 per cent, to finish at 1,557.99.

Bank, iron and steel, and securities house-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.