The Nikkei index briefly retook the 18,000 line for the first time in roughly 10 months Friday morning, Kyodo reported.

    The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 149.16 points, or 0.84 percent, from Thursday to 18,011.79.

    The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 8.11 points, or 0.57 percent, to 1,431.19.