Tokyo  - Stocks in Tokyo gained Wednesday as retail sales in the United States, one of Japan's largest export markets, rose the most in three years.

Share prices were also given a boost by higher commodity prices and US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke saying the US recession was "very likely" at an end.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average was up 121.81 points, or 1.19 per cent, in morning trading to 10,339.43.

The broader-based Topix index also gained 7.55 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 940.07.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 90.90-92 yen, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 91.10-13 yen.

The euro traded at 1.4669-71 dollars, up from late Tuesday's quote of 1.4599-1.4602 dollars, and at 133.35-38 yen, up from 133.02-06 yen. (dpa)