Tokyo shares opened the trading Friday higher on the Britain's possible stay in the European Union in a referendum, but sentiment was held as vote-counting continued.

At 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 75.25 points, or 0.46 percent, from Thursday to 16,313.60.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 4.36 points, or 0.34 percent, at 1,303.07.