TOKYO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks close higher Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index ending at a three-week high tracking gains on Wall Street overnight amid hopes negotiations will settle international trade frictions.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 325.87 points, or 1.53 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 21,645.42, marking its highest closing level since March 16.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 18.48 points, or 1.08 percent, to finish at 1,724.61.

Real estate, precision instrument and bank-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.