TOKYO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher on Thursday with the benchmark Nikkei index closing at a three-week high above 35,000, as export-oriented auto and electronics shares climbed on a weaker yen.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 170.52 points, or 0.49 percent, from Wednesday at 35,039.15, its highest closing level since April 2.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 8.24 points, or 0.32 percent, higher at 2,592.56.
On the stock market, export-linked auto and electronics shares were widely sought on a weaker yen, while heavyweight technology issues tracked advances by their U.S. counterparts overnight.
Meanwhile, investors locked in gains after the Nikkei index topped the 35,000 threshold and sat on the sidelines ahead of talks between Japanese and U.S. finance ministers in Washington on Thursday, analysts said. ■
