Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesday as investor sentiment improved following a strong showing on Wall Street overnight on hopes for tax reform in the United States.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 140.57 points, or 0.73 percent, from Tuesday to 19,524.41.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 11.81 points, or 0.74 percent, to 1,607.93.

Oil and coal product, insurance, and information and communication-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes of trade.