Tokyo shares surge by midday on weaker yen

Tokyo shares surged sharply by ending the morning session Tuesday as the yen remained a relative low level against the U.S. dollar after the Bank of Japan decided last week to continue monetary easing.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rocketed 657.42 points, or 4. 01 percent, higher from Friday to 17,071.18, briefly touching 17, 127.66, its highest intraday level since Oct. 18, 2007.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 48.01 points, or 3.60 percent, at 1, 381.65.
Gainers were led by brokerage, consumer finance and electric machinery issues.
The Tokyo stocks market was closed Monday for a national holiday