TOKYO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Friday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index extending its winning streak to a ninth straight day, as investors welcomed the European Central Bank's (ECB) easing measures amid hopes for a further rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

File photo: VCG

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 228.68 points, or 1.05 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 21,988.29, marking its highest closing level since April 26.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 14.77 points, or 0.93 percent, to close at 1,609.87.

Real estate, textile and apparel, and farm and fishery-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.