Tokyo stocks close above 9700 on Yen weakening

Tokyo stocks closed higher again Thursday, with the Nikkei Stock Average climbing 161.27 points, or 1.68%, to end the day at 9,742.73. The benchmark index closed above 9,700 for the first time since April 5, according to the (Nikkei.com) website. The dollar rose to the upper-83 yen range, while the euro strengthened to the lower-109 yen range, amid speculation the Bank of Japan will further loosen its monetary purse strings. Investors snapped up exporters on easing earnings concerns. Stocks of property developers, banks and brokerages, which stand to benefit from more BOJ easing, performed solidly.