TOKYO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index rising above the 24,000 line for the first time since November 1991, as Wall Street's solid overnight lead and a comparatively week yen lifted sentient.

In early trade, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 181.96 points, or 0.76 percent, from Wednesday to 24,050.30.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 11.08 points, or 0.59 percent, at 1,901.90.

All industry categories on the main section advanced into positive territory, with mining, rubber product and electric appliance issues gaining the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.