Tokyo shares rise sharply in morning trade

Tokyo shares ended the morning session sharply higher on Thursday.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average skyrocketed 347.48 points, or 1.89 percent, from Wednesday to 18,724.31, reported Xinhua news agency.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 38.52 points, or 2.60 percent, to 1,517.49.