Tokyo stocks rose on Thursday with the key Nikkei index up 0.86 percent.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 75.42 points from Wednesday to end at 8,876.59. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues expanded 8.28 points, or 1.12 percent, to 747.16.

Securities sector, and the sea transport, and iron and steel sectors were among the leading winners Thursday, while decliners included the pharmaceutical, fishery and forestry, and foods sectors.

Selling initially prevailed as fears about Europe continued to weigh on the market but buying gradually gained the upper hand in the afternoon as investors chose to purchase on dips.

Trading volume stood at 2.08 billion shares worth 1,171 billion yen (about 14.58 billion U.S. dollars).