The key Tokyo stock gauge hit a six- year-and-half intraday high on Thursday morning.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended the morning session at 17,566.38, up 58.98 points, or 0.34 percent, after hitting a morning high of 17,617.64, its highest level since July 4, 2000.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange climbed 3.99 points, or 0.23 percent, to 1, 742.60.

Source: Xinhua