Japan's key Nikkei stock index turned in this year's biggest single-day point gain Monday to end at its highest level in five years and two months as a wide range of shares drew buying amid optimism over the upcoming release of the Bank of Japan's Tankan business sentiment survey.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shot up 334.65 points, or 2. 17 percent, to 15,738.70, its highest finish since Oct. 10, 2000.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange added 26.29 points, or 1.65 percent, to finish at 1,617.52, a level unseen since May 17, 2000.

All sectors advanced, with nonferrous metal issues drawing notable buying, reflecting strong gold prices.

Sumitomo Metal Industries was the day's volume leader, up 2 yen to 454 yen.

Softbank was the most heavily traded issue by value. It fell 130 yen to 10,620 yen.

Advancing issues trounced declining ones 1,357 to 232, with 78 shares ending the day unchanged.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section fell to 3,130.29 million shares from Friday's 3,701.02 million shares.

The TSE's Second Section index rose 31.06 points, or 0.64 percent, to 4,873.33 on a volume of 157.46 million shares. In Osaka, the near-term March Nikkei 225 index futures contract jumped 330 points to 15,760.

Source: Xinhua