TOKYO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo shares opened sharply higher Thursday on the first trading day of 2018, tracking the gains on the U.S. stock market overnight.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 441.95 points, or 1.94 percent, from Friday to 23,206.89.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 28.81 points, or 1.59 percent, to 1,846.37.

Japanese financial markets were closed from Monday to Wednesday due to New Year holiday.