Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks closed higher Wednesday mainly on rising export-oriented issues as the US dollar advanced against the yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 226.4 points, or 1.6 per cent, to close at 14,435.57.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 23.03 points, or 1.64 per cent, at 1,430.47.

Car exporters were particularly helped by the US dollar's advance against the yen. The United States is Japan's biggest export market, and a lower yen boost exporters' overseas earnings.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 105.13-18 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 104.24-26 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.5455-58 dollars, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 1.5584-86 dollars, and at 162.52-57 yen, up from 162.45-49 yen. (dpa)