Tokyo shares close firmer in thin trade

Share prices closed firmer in thin pre-holiday trade ahead of US payrolls data tonight that may provide clues on whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates, dealers said.

The Nikkei 225 index closed up 45.24 points or 0.52% at 8,685.72, off a high of 8,698.19 and a low of 8,571.43.