Japan's key Nikkei stock index topped 17,300 Monday morning to reach its highest intra-day level in more than five years on a combination of the weaker yen against the U.S. dollar and robust sentiment about Japan's economic prospects.

On the first trading day of fiscal 2006, which began Saturday, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 245.10 points, or 1.44 percent, in the morning to 17,304.76, its highest level since July 18, 2000.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 23.10 points, or 1.34 percent, to 1, 751.26.

Source: Xinhua