Tokyo (dpa) - The Tokyo stock market opened higher Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate to spur the economy. 

The Nikkei gained 214.79 points, or 2.62 per cent, to 8,426.69, and the broader Topix index of all first-section issues went up 10.56 points, or 1.27 per cent, to 840.88. 

The US dollar's advance against the yen helped investors to buy back shares. 

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 97.54-59 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 96.85-86 yen. 

The euro was quoted at 1.2955-60 dollars, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 1.2690-92 dollars, and at 126.41-46 yen, up from 122.91-95 yen. (dpa)