Tokyo stocks end higher as market sentiment improves

TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Wednesday as concerns about the Japanese central bank's shift from its ultra-easy policy eased.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 456.55 points, or 1.37 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 33,675.94, its highest close since July 3.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 15.57 points, or 0.