Tokyo stocks close sharply higher on buybacks after 3-day slide

TOKYO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed sharply higher Friday as sentiment being lifted by solid performances on overseas bourses saw investors take to buying back issues deemed oversold during the market's three-day downturn.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average climbed 420.75 points, or 2.0 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 21,466.99.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 29.69 points, or 1.94 percent, to finish at 1,563.96.

All industry categories advanced into positive territory, with farm and fishery, securities house, and food-related issues comprising those that gained the most by the close of play.