TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose Monday, lifted by buying of technology issues tracking gains in their U.S. counterparts and defense-linked shares after the United States urged Japan to increase related spending.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 343.42 points, or 0.93 percent, from Friday at 37,396.52. The broader Topix index finished 32.27 points, or 1.19 percent, higher at 2,748.12.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by machinery, real estate and construction issues.

The U.S. dollar briefly rose above the 149 yen line in Tokyo as the yen was sold amid speculation that the Bank of Japan will not raise interest rates at its policy meeting this week, dealers said.

Stocks were boosted by heavyweight semiconductor-related issues after the U.S. Nasdaq index ended sharply higher Friday.

Defense-related issues climbed after U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Japan said last week that he is ready to engage in discussions on further boosting the country's defense budget.

His remarks came after the president's pick for a top Pentagon policy post pressed Japan to raise its defense spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product as early as possible.

Such shares have tended to attract buying as investors expect Japan to face the need to boost defense spending amid security concerns surrounding Taiwan even if the Ukraine war winds down, said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist in the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.