The Nikkei index ended 1.32 percent higher Thursday. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed up 193.46 points from Wednesday at 14,808.50, the highest closing level since May 22. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 8.77 points, or 0.72 percent, at 1,222.01. Gainers included paper, communications and textile firms, while decliners included insurance, miscellaneous products and utilities. The turnover was about 2,275.5 billion yen (about 22.69 billion U.S. dollars).