TOKYO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Japan's key stock index rebounded for the first time in six trading days on Thursday, following the overnight rally in U.S. tech stocks.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed 128.02 points, or 0.33 percent higher at 38,572.60.
The tech-led rally in the U.S. stock market carried over to the Tokyo market, with notable gains in heavyweight semiconductor stocks such as Tokyo Electron and Advantest.
But gains were capped later in the day as the yen strengthened against the dollar in the foreign exchange market, causing the index to lose momentum and briefly dip into negative territory in the afternoon.
Analysts expected investor caution to prevail ahead of key events next week, including the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting.
The broader TOPIX index, however, edged down, closing 2.50 points, or 0.09 percent lower at 2,688.31.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, 610 stocks advanced, 968 declined, and 65 remained unchanged. ■
