Tokyo stocks ended 1.44 percent higher on Tuesday afternoon, with the Nikkei index ending above the 15,000 threshold for the first time since Jan. 31, bolstered by rises of U.S. and European shares. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was up 213.92 points, or 1. 44 percent, from Monday at 15,051.6. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 14.59 points, or 1.2 percent, at 1,233. 66. Gainers were led by information and communication, oil and coal, and land transport sectors. The turnover was 1984.5 billion yen (about 19.34 billion U.S. dollars.)