Share prices closed sharply higher, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 index settling above 15,000 points for the first time in nearly five years, as the market resumed its rally on optimism about the prospects for the Japanese economy and corporate earnings, dealers said. At the closing bell, the Nikkei 225 stock average was up 258.35 points or 1.7 pct at 15,130.50, the day's highest level. It was the highest closing since Dec 13, 2000 when it ended at 15,168.68. The broader TOPIX index of all First Section stocks closed up 23.60 points or 1.5 pct at 1,559.81. Reflecting the upbeat mood, gainers overwhelmed losers 1,372 to 228, with 65 issues unchanged. Volume reached 2.64 bln shares, up from 2.44 bln shares yesterday. "The market was supported by the recent encouraging economic indicators, such as CPI and industrial output as well as robust earnings results for the first half to September which have been announced in recent weeks," said Ryuta Otsuka, a strategist at Toyo Securities.