Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

A LATE-AFTERNOON buying surge sent Tokyo stocks to an eight-month high yesterday. The Nikkei 225 index finished up 144.93, or 0.89 per cent, at 16,479.71, its highest close since last July.

An influx of money came in a broad range of stocks, including banks and hi-techs, analysts said. Market sentiment was also boosted by Monday's record high on Wall Street and the influential Bank of Japan "Tankan" survey, which showed the first rise in business confidence for almost two years.