Tokyo  - Stocks climbed in Tokyo Thursday as exporters were helped by a better-than-expected rise in US industrial production and resources companies by increases in commodity prices.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average was up 173.03 points, or 1.68 per cent, to close at 10,443.8.

The broader-based Topix index rose 8.09 points, or 0.87 per cent, to 939.52.

On currency markets at noon (0300 GMT), the dollar traded at 91.03-06 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 90.27-30 yen.

The euro traded at 1.4724-26 dollars, up from late Wednesday's quote of 1.4703-06 dollars, and at 134.04-08 yen, up from 132.75-79 yen. (dpa)