Tokyo stocks close higher as Wall Street's lead triggers buybacks

TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Monday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index closing at a three-week high as investor sentiment was brightened by Wall Street's lead and triggered buybacks here.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 260.85 points, or 1.19 percent, from Friday to close the day at 22,153.63, marking its highest closing level since Feb. 5.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 14.28 points, or 0.81 percent, higher to finish at 1,774.81.

Pharmaceutical, precision instrument, and information and communication-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.