Tokyo  - Stocks in Japan continued to gain ground in Thursday morning trading, with the benchmark Nikkei index up 49.81 points or 0.51 per cent, to 9,849.41.

The broader-based Topix index increased 4.11 points or 0.46 per cent, to 889.80.

On currency markets the dollar rose to 88.54-55 yen after closing at 88.14-16 on Wednesday. (dpa)