Tokyo stocks ended 0.87 percent higher in the morning session of Thursday, with the Nikkei index hitting a fresh three-week high, boosted by better-than-expected U. S. employment data. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was up 130.14 points, or 0. 87 percent, from Wednesday to end the morning at 15,076.46, after climbing as high as 15,086.73, its highest intraday level since March 11. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 7.06 points, or 0.58 percent, to 1,218. 42. The Topix is on track to extend its winning streak to a ninth day. The gain was led by paper and pulp, mining and precision machinery shares.