Tokyo shares closed slightly higher Thursday morning with solid U.S. wage data raising expectations of an early interest rate hike by the U.S. central bank.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 21.12 points, or 0.13 percent, from Wednesday to 16,908.52.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 6.26 points, or 0.47 percent, to 1,335.80.

Gainers were led by banking, other financial stocks and iron and steel issues.

Source : XINHUA