TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Thursday led by export-related automakers on a weaker yen, while retailers were boosted by hopes for more foreign tourists as Japan plans to ease visa requirements for Chinese travelers.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 437.63 points, or 1.12 percent, from Wednesday at 39,568.06. The broader Topix index finished 32.92 points, or 1.20 percent, higher at 2,766.78.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by transportation equipment, nonferrous metal and wholesale trade issues.

The U.S. dollar briefly strengthened to the mid-157 yen range in Tokyo, as the Japanese currency was sold after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda appeared cautious about further interest rate hikes in a speech Wednesday, dealers said.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 157.35-37 yen compared with 157.00-30 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday. U.S. markets were closed for the Christmas holiday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0396-0398 and 163.59-63 yen against $1.0393-0410 and 163.45-49 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond ended at 1.085 percent, up 0.020 percentage point from Wednesday's close. The debt was sold on expectations the government will issue more bonds than the previous year to finance its initial fiscal 2025 budget, a move that could lower bond prices, dealers said.

On the stock market, automakers rose on a weaker yen that raises the prospects of an improvement in their repatriated profits, with Toyota Motor surging notably after a report the previous day that the company aims to double its return on equity target to 20 percent.

Stocks that gain from inbound tourism such as department store operators jumped after Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya outlined a plan to ease visa requirements for Chinese tourists during a visit to Beijing on Wednesday amid efforts to improve bilateral ties.

While retailers have been reporting strong earnings on the back of increased foreign tourists, "the news raised hopes of a further expansion of their performance before the Chinese New Year" set to start from late January, said Toshikazu Horiuchi, equity strategist at IwaiCosmo Securities Co.

Stocks were also bought as investors moved to secure dividend rights for companies with a business year ending December, Horiuchi said.