Japanese shares rise on Wall Street gain

Meanwhile, Japan's top automaker Toyota Motor Corp., rose 1.9 percent to 5,380 yen and Nissan Motor Co. gained 2.3 percent to 982 yen.

The Topix index of all the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section added 19.83 points, or 1.4 percent, to 1,392.87.

In currency trading, the dollar was quoted at 104.90 yen midafternoon in Tokyo, compared with 105.06 yen in New York late Wednesday. The euro stood at $1.5490, up from $1.5464 late Wednesday in New York.