Tokyo stocks hit 7-month high on weak yen

Tokyo stocks rose sharply on Thursday, with a key index topping the 9,300 for the first time in almost seven months on the yen\'s depreciation and overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) advanced 144.28 points, or 1.56 percent, from Wednesday to 9,366.80, its highest close since May 2. The broader Tokyo Stock Price Index, which includes all First Section issues on the TSE, advanced 9.42 points, or 1.23 percent, to 776.43. The notable gainers included automakers and other key exporters as export-oriented issues benefited from the stronger dollar, which hit a fresh seven-month high of the mid-82 yen level. The Japanese financial markets will be closed Friday for a national holiday. At 4 p.m. (0700 GMT), the US dollar traded at JPY 82.47-50 against JPY 82. 47-57 in New York and JPY 82.06-08 in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.