By Myra P. Saefong
TOKYO (MarketWatch) -- Japanese shares edged higher Thursday morning in Tokyo as a weaker yen buoyed shares of major exporters, including auto makers and technology stocks. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NI225 10,283, +50.65, +0.49%) rose 0.6% to 10,287.17 and the broader Topix climbed by 0.4% to 891.08. Among the auto makers, Honda Motor Co. (JP:7267 3,135, +60.00, +1.95%) (HMC 37.26, +0.09, +0.24%) added 1.3% and Mazda Motor Corp. (JP:7261 240.00, +3.00, +1.27%) (MZDAF 2.83, -0.10, -3.41%) tacked on 2.1%. Shares of chip maker Elpida Memory Inc. (JP:6665 933.00, +2.00, +0.21%) (ELPDF 12.20, +2.40, +24.49%) added 1.1% and Tokyo Electron Ltd. (JP:8035 5,250, +40.00, +0.77%) (TOELF 63.50, +2.65, +4.35%) rose 0.8%. Elsewhere, South Korea's Kospi (XX:$SEU 1,956, -6.80, -0.35%) traded 0.5% higher in early dealings. |
