Tokyo stocks open higher on COVID-19 vaccine progress

TOKYO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Tuesday on hopes for expedited access to a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. after the biotech company said it asked U.S. and European regulators to allow emergency use of the vaccine.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average increased 248.76 points, or 0.94 percent, from Monday to 26,682.38.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, rose 10.37 points, or 0.59 percent, at 1,765.29.

Nonferrous metal, securities brokerage and metal product issues comprised those gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.