Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index opened higher Thursday as US shares renewed record highs on hopes that the pandemic might have peaked, at least for now.

The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.22 percent, or 61.15 points, to 27,785.95 in early trade, and the broader Topix index firmed 0.12 percent, or 2.30 points, to 1,937.96.