Tokyo stocks closed marginally higher on Wednesday with a dearth of fresh clues for trade.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index edged up 0.03 percent, or 8.62 points, to end at 29,036.56, while the broader Topix index advanced 0.11 percent, or 2.06 points, to 1,919.74.

Tokyo shares began the session higher, supported by rallies on Wall Street after the tech-rich Nasdaq shook off recent weakness and finished up 3.7 percent in its best session since November.

Higher borrowing costs along with high interest rates have had adverse effects especially on high-tech firms.

“But after opening higher, gains on Tokyo shares narrowed on profit-taking,” said senior strategist Yoshihiro Ito of Okasan Online Securities.

He added the market “lacked a sense of direction” as not much movement was seen in US stock futures.

In Tokyo trading, Sony jumped 1.75 percent to 11,000 yen while Uniqlo casual wear operator Fast Retailing dropped 2.41 percent to 91,750 yen.

SoftBank Group dipped 0.09 percent to 10,120 yen.

Automakers were lower, with Toyota falling 0.74 percent to 8,128 yen, Honda losing 1.46 percent to 3,218 yen and Nissan dropping 1.65 percent to 604.6 yen.

The dollar fetched 108.92 yen in Asian trade, against 108.50 yen in New York late Tuesday.

AFP