Tokyo stocks close higher on yen's retreat, gains capped ahead of Powell speech

TOKYO, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Friday as the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar helped lift exporter issues, although gains were capped as investors hit the sidelines ahead of a speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell later in the day.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 82.90 points, or 0.40 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 20,710.91.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 4.19 points, or 0.28 percent, to finish at 1,502.25.

Pulp and paper, steel and iron, and marine transportation issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.