Tokyo stocks reversed earlier losses to close higher Thursday as remarks by a Bank of Japan (BOJ) deputy governor claiming the central bank would directly purchase government bonds for further easing measures, saw the yen retreat against the U.S. dollar and spur buying. 
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 171.78 points, or 1.07%, from Wednesday to finish the day at 16,254.89. 
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 11.01 points, or 0.87%, to end at 1,282.99. 
The day's notable advancers at the close of play comprised brokerage, marine transport and nonferrous metal-linked issues. 
The day's turnover was 2,463.3 billion yen (24.33 billion U.S. dollars).