Tokyo stocks bounced back from earlier losses Thursday to slightly higher as China-related and pharmaceutical issues buoyed the broader market.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 32.74 points, or 0.15 percent, from Wednesday to the day at 21,464.23.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, inched 0.03 point higher to finish at 1,613.50.
Marine transportation, warehousing, and pulp and paper-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most by the of play.