Tokyo shares open higher

Tokyo shares opened higher on Wednesday after US shares hit record highs overnight and the US dollar strengthened against the yen.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average jumped 69.74 points, or 0.36 per cent, from Tuesday to 19,564.27, Xinhua news agency reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange added 4.96 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 1,557.32.

Gainers were led by insurance, iron and steel, and real estate issues.

--IANS

pgh/