Tokyo stocks ended higher Friday as a slightly lower-than-expected gain in the Japanese consumer price index eased worries over the possibility of an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan anytime soon.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 47.45 points, or 0.29 percent, to close at 16,321.78 after rising to a three-week intraday high of 16,376.30.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 1.87 points, or 0.12 percent, to 1,604. 90.

Nippon Steel was the volume leader, up 1 yen to 521 yen.

Softbank was the most heavily traded issue in value terms. It rose 40 yen to 2,465 yen.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section came to 1,685.58 million shares against Thursday's 1,806.35 million.

Advancing issues led declining ones 972 to 619, with 117 shares ending the day unchanged.

The TSE's Second Section index rose 2.46 points, or 0.06 percent, to 4,079.05 on a volume of 86.17 million shares. In Osaka, the near-term December Nikkei 225 index futures contract was up 20 points to 16,330.

Source: Xinhua