TOKYO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Tuesday tracking overnight gains of high-tech issues in the U.S. stock market, while the weak yen boosted buying of export-related issues.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, went up 176.60 points, or 0.46 percent, from Monday to close the day at 38,356.06.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 6.87 points, or 0.25 percent, higher at 2,730.95.

Market watchers here noted that the overnight bullish performance of U.S. high-tech stocks lifted the market sentiment in Tokyo, leading to rises in related stocks such as Advantest and Lasertec, while the weaker yen supported export-related stocks.

However, the gains were limited here as investors remained cautious over Japan's rising long-term interest rates, which increase borrowing costs for companies and weaken the relative attractiveness of equities, local analysts noted, also citing a wait-and-see attitude ahead of the release of the U.S. producer price index for April later in the day.

The day's rally was also led by SoftBank Group, which announced its earnings on Monday and further rose during the afternoon session, pushing the Nikkei Stock Average up by 68 points.

On the Prime Market, gainers were led by oil and coal products, miscellaneous products and marine transportation issues.

Issues that declined slightly outpaced those that advanced by 874 to 746, while 31 ended the day unchanged. Enditem

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