Tokyo stocks advance in morning

TOKYO, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks advanced Friday morning after a strong tone set by Wall Street overnight.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 144.90 points, or 0.67 percent, from Thursday to 21,691.89.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 12.05 points, or 0.72 percent, to 1,688.25.

Pharmaceutical, iron and steel, and wholesale trade-linked issues comprised those gained the most by the morning break.