Tokyo stocks head for longest rally since 1988

Tokyo's benchmark index marched toward its longest rally in more than a quarter of a century on Thursday morning, boosted by a weak yen and a record close on Wall Street.

The Nikkei 225 at the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 0.67 percent, or 136.70 points, to 20,609.28 by the break, heading for a 10-session gain that would be its longest winning streak since a 13-day run in February 1988.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares climbed 0.94 percent, or 15.57 points, to end the morning at 1,676.90.