Nikkei climbs 1.34 percent

Tokyo stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark Nikkei index breaching the 20,000 line for the first time since late August as better-than-expected capital expenditure data buoyed sentiment about the health of the domestic economy.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed 264.93 points (1.34 percent) up from Monday at 20,012.40, Xinhua reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange added 21.70 points (1.37 percent) to finish the day at 1,601.95.

Local brokers noted that data released in the morning showed that corporate capital expenditure in the July-September period increased at the fastest pace in eight years from a year earlier, surging by 11.2 percent, lifting the market mood.

They added that investors' buying appetite was increased by hopes GDP figures may be upwardly revised, with purchasing sentiment also boosted by a weaker yen.

The day's notable advancers comprised utilities, iron and steel, and machinery-linked shares and the turnover for the day was $19.78 billion.