Tokyo stocks ended higher Friday on hopes for the Bank of Japan's further purchases of exchange-traded funds as part of its additional monetary easing and strong gains for high-priced Nikkei component Fast Retailing.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 152.73 points, or 0.79 percent, from Thursday at 19,498.50, its highest close since March 25. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 13.06 points, or 0.92 percent, higher at 1,430.04.

Gainers were led by bank, iron and steel, and electric power and gas issues.

==Kyodo

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