Tokyo stocks rose 0.51 percent in the morning session of Friday following gains by overseas shares on bets that the European Central Bank will further ease monetary policy and optimism about the U.S. economy.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 88.23 points, from Thursday to 17,255.33.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange moved 3.58 points, or 0.26 percent higher, to 1,381.25.
Major gainers included insurance, rubber and automaker issues.