Tokyo stocks advance in morning on Wall Street's lead, yen's retreat

TOKYO, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks advanced Friday morning as the marker mood was brightened by Wall Street's positive lead overnight, with exporters rising on a comparatively weak yen versus the U.S. dollar.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 199.17 points, or 0.95 percent, from Thursday to 21,232.93.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 10.73 points, or 0.68 percent, at 1,593.58.

Pharmaceutical, mining and marine transportation-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the morning break.