Tokyo  - Stock markets in Tokyo inched up in early Friday trading, dragged up by commodities companies which were boosted by rising oil and metals prices.

The benchmark Nikkei 222 Stock Average was up 59.19 points, or 0.6 per cent to 9,891.66.

Gold prices for December delivery hit an all-time-high late Thursday in New York, briefly soaring above 1,060 dollars an ounce, before closing at 1,056.3 dollars an ounce.

The broader-based Topix index also gained ground, rising 2.8 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 890.39.

Japan's stock markets will be closed Monday due to a national holiday.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT) the dollar strengthened against the yen, trading at 88.75-76 yen, up from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 88.27-28 yen.

The euro traded at 1.4770-71 dollars, down from 1.4777-78 dollars and at 131.09-13 yen, up from 130.44-48 dollars the previous day. (dpa)