TOKYO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Thursday on strong exporter shares as the yen weakened after Japan's trade envoy said exchange rates were not among the topics discussed during tariff talks with the United States.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 457.20 points, or 1.35 percent, from Wednesday at 34,377.60.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 32.20 points, or 1.29 percent, higher at 2,530.23.

On the stock market, the benchmark Nikkei index stayed in positive territory throughout the day, as some export-linked machinery and electronics issues attracted buying on a weaker yen.

The U.S. dollar hit a seven-month low of 141.64 yen in New York overnight but rebounded to the upper 142 yen zone in Tokyo, as the Japanese currency was sold after Japan's chief negotiator, economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, revealed that currencies had not figured in the first round of negotiations in Washington.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump had accused Tokyo of pursuing a policy to devalue the yen, giving Japan an unfair trade advantage. ■