Tokyo shares ended the morning session higher on Thursday with market confidence boosted by the expectation of an US interest rate raise in December.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 276.50 points, or 1. 41 percent, from Wednesday to end the morning at 19,925.68, Xinhua news agency reported.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 19.62 points, or 1.24 percent, to 1, 606.15.
Every industry category on the main section gained ground, with warehousing, iron and steel and nonferrous metals leading gainers.
