TOKYOfibawcqualifiersasia, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Wednesday, tracking gains of tech heavyweights both on Wall Street and here in Tokyo.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 88.65 points, or 0.23 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 38,570.76.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, rose 12.88 points, or 0.47 percent, to 2,728.64.

Market watchers here noted that the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which tracks major semiconductor stocks, reached a record high, boosting U.S. tech stocks and driving initial buying in Tokyo.

On the Prime Market, advancing issues outnumbered declining ones by 1,028 to 573, with 44 issues remaining unchanged.

Issues of Recruit Holdings, Nitto Denko, Toyota, and Sony Group were among the notable gainers.■