Tokyo shares surged by end of the morning session Thursday as the market's sentiment was lifted by a brighter view of the U.S. economy.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rocketed 244.43 points, or 1. 62 percent, from Wednesday to 15,360.23, the highest since late January on an intraday basis.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 19.06 points, or 1.53 percent, at 1, 268.21.
Gainers were led by mining, iron and steel, and glass and ceramics products.