Tokyo  - Stocks in Japan gained ground in Wednesday morning trading, with the benchmark Nikkei index pushed up as commodity related-shares jumped following a rise in commodity prices.

The key Nikkei 225 Industrial Average index was up 86.45 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 9,779.25.

The broader-based Topix index increased 11.49 points, or 1.32 per cent, to 883.12, as financial titles were snapped up by investors.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT) the dollar traded lower at 88.83-87 yen, from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 89.26-28 yen.

The euro remained unchanged at 1.4718-20 dollars and at 130.75-82 yen, down from 131.38-42 yen the previous day. (dpa)