Stocks opened higher nearly across the board Thursday on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, tracing overnight gains in U.S. shares.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 186.95 points, or 1.08 percent, to 17,430.93.

The broader Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues rose 21.93 points, or 1.26 percent, to 1,767.98. The Second Section also rose.

Source: Xinhua