TOKYO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Thursday as investor sentiment was bolstered by the Dow Jones Industrial Average ending at a seven-and-a-half-month high overnight.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 39.55 points, or 0.17 percent, from Wednesday to 23,712.07.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 2.61 points, or 0.15 percent, at 1,788.27.

Insurance, bank, and iron and steel-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.