Tokyo stocks close sharply higher as robust Chinese data lifts market mood

TOKYO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed sharply higher Monday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index ending at a near 14-month high as upbeat data released in Japan and China lifted the market mood and helped ease concerns about the outlook for the global economy.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average climbed 235.59 points, or 1.01 percent, from Friday to close the day at 23,529.50.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, jumped 15.13 points, or 0.89 percent, to finish at 1,714.49.

Marine transportation, wholesale, and iron and steel-related issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.