Tokyo stocks close higher as yen's retreat lifts exporters

TOKYO, March 29 (Xinhua) --Tokyo stocks closed higher Thursday as the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar lifted exporter issues while eased concerns related to the Korean Peninsula also added support.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 127.77 points, or 0.61 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 21,159.08.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 4.44 points, or 0.26 percent, to finish at 1,704.00.

Service, food and machinery issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.