Nikkei index closes higher

TOKYO, Aug 4 (AFP): Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index closed higher on Thursday with investors emboldened by Wall Street gains and a weaker yen.

The Nikkei 225 climbed 0.69 per cent, or 190.30 points, to end at 27,932.20, while the broader Topix index was flat at 1,930.73.

The dollar fetched 134.15 yen, against 133.92 yen in New York on Wednesday.

Soon after trading opened in Tokyo, a "risk-taking appetite prevailed", Okasan Online Securities said.

The market took cues from solid gains on Wall Street, where better-than-expected services industry data helped cheer up investors.

"It also helped that the foreign exchange market took a rapid shift toward the yen's depreciation," Okasan added.