Tokyo stocks opened higher Thursday on continued optimism for robust corporate earnings from firms here for the fiscal first half of the year that ended last month.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 72.64 points, or 0.33 percent, from Wednesday to 21,780.26.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 2.21 points, or 0.13 percent, to 1,753.64.

Securities, electric appliance and machinery-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.