Tokyo stocks reached multiyear highs Monday, the first trading day of Japan's new business year, which began Saturday -- on a weaker yen against the U.S. dollar and robust sentiment over Japanese economic prospects.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 273.65 points, or 1.60 percent, to 17,333.31, for its highest finish since July 12, 2000.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 26.48 points, or 1.53 percent, to 1,754. 64, a level unseen since Feb. 7, 2000.

All sectors excluding air transport advanced during the day.

Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones 1,394 to 221, with 77 shares ending the day unchanged.

Mizuho Financial Group was the most heavily traded issue by value. It rose 21,000 yen to 984,000 yen.

Mitsubishi Motors was the day's volume leader, up 8 yen to 257 yen.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section increased to 2,143.48 million shares from Friday's 1,656.10 million.

The TSE's Second Section index rose 23.77 points, or 0.47 percent, to 5,106.63 on a volume of 106.32 million shares. In Osaka, the near-term June Nikkei 225 index futures contract rose 330 points to 17,350.

Source: Xinhua