Tokyo stocks extend gains in morning as yen's softer tone lifts confidence

TOKYO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks continued rising Tuesday morning as a comparatively softer yen against the U.S. dollar bolstered investor sentiment and saw exporter issues advance.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 130.62 points, or 0.55 percent, from Monday to 23,845.50.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, advanced 5.82 points, or 0.31 percent, at 1,889.72.

Food, electric appliance and transportation equipment-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the morning break.