Tokyo stocks extend gains amid tech rally

TOKYO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks rose for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, driven by gains in tech stocks following a strong performance of U.S. tech shares.

The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed the day at 39,849.14, up 476.91 points, or 1.21 percent, from the previous trading day.

The index briefly surpassed the psychological milestone of 40,000 durin