Tokyo stocks open sharply higher on Wall Street gains

Tokyo stocks opened sharply higher early Wednesday following overnight gains on Wall Street.

At 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average soared 203.29 points, or 1.17 percent, from Tuesday to 17,539.14.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 16.68 points, or 1.20 percent, to 1, 409.07.

Major gainers included mining, insurance and steel issues. Endi