Tokyo stocks end higher after BOJ's policy rate hike

TOKYO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced its second rate hike of the year.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, rose for the third consecutive trading day by ending up 575.87 points, or 1.49 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 39,101.82.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 39.81 points, or