Tokyo stocks close higher on bargain-hunting, yen's retreat

TOKYO, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Thursday, bringing an end to the benchmark Nikkei stock index's six-day losing streak as bargain-hunting buoyed the market and the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar added support.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 387.82 points, or 1.68 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 23,486.11.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 33.73 points, or 1.84 percent, to finish at 1,870.44.

Bank, oil and coal product, and pharmaceutical-related issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.