Tokyo stocks close higher as hopes grow for Mideast ceasefire

TOKYO, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher on Wednesday after reports that the United States is making diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Iran, raising hopes that tensions in the Middle East may ease.

The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 1,497.34 points, or 2.87 percent, from Tuesday at 53,749.62. The broader Topix index finished 91.32 points, or 2.57