Tokyo shares inched up Thursday morning due to the weakness of the yen against the U.S. dollar, yet market sentiment was weighed by the outcome of the British referendum set later in the day.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 77.52 points, or 0.48 percent, from Wednesday to 16,143.24.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 5.05 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,289.66.

Gainers were led by iron and steel, marine transportation and banking issues.

SOURCE : XINHUA