Tokyo stocks open modestly higher on improving U.S. labor market

Tokyo stocks opened higher early Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve decided to end its asset buying stimulus on the heels of continued improvement in the labor market the previous day.

At 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 66.16 points, or 0.43 percent, from Wednesday to 15,620.07.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 4.99 points, or 0.39 percent, at 1,275. 63.

Major gainers included oil and coal products, glass and ceramics and consumer finance issues.