Tokyo stocks end higher on strong chip shares

TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Thursday, lifted by buying semiconductor-related shares that tracked their U.S. counterparts higher.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 148.97 points, or 0.41 percent, from Wednesday at 36,928.63.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 2.56 points, or 0.09 percent, higher at 2,698.72.

On the stock market, heavyweight chip issues attracted buying after their U.S. counterparts climbed on a report that the U.S. administration is considering easing curbs on chips used for artificial intelligence technology, analysts said. Enditem