TOKYO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Friday with the benchmark Nikkei index climbing for the third straight day to close up nearly 2 percent.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 666.59 points, or 1.90 percent, from Thursday at 35,705.74, its highest level since April 2.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 35.47 points, or 1.37 percent, higher at 2,628.03.

Stocks were boosted by export-oriented auto, electronics and machinery issues on a weaker yen after the U.S. finance chief did not push his Japanese counterpart for support to prop up the yen during their talks in Washington, analysts said. ■