In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 196.56 points, or 1.45 percent, from Thursday to 13,737.43. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 18.58 points, or 1.42 percent, to 1,326.15. The Second Section also advanced.

Investor confidence was boosted in Tokyo after New York stocks surged Thursday with the Dow Jones index briefly rising by nearly 180 points aided by strong earnings of Ford Motor Co. and a plunge in crude oil futures, brokers said.

Export-oriented issues were also lifted by the yen's weakness against the U.S. dollar, they said. The dollar was trading in the 104 yen level Friday morning, up from the 103 yen level Thursday afternoon in Tokyo.

Stocks gained almost across the board, led by insurance, transport equipment, and banking issues. Mining issues were among the decliners.