Share prices ended the session higher, with the benchmark Nikkei surging to its highest level in more than 63 months on a bullish tone in US markets overnight, dealers said. Sentiment here was also bolstered by consumer electronics giant Sharp Corp, which yesterday announced huge investment in its mainstay Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) business. The blue-chip Nikkei 225 stock index finished the day up 81.60 points or 0.5 pct at 16,445.19, off a high of 16,472.99. This was the highest close since Sept 20, 2000, when it ended at 16,458.31. The broader TOPIX index of all First Section shares gained 11.90 points or 0.7 pct to 1,684.34, its high for the session. Advancers outnumbered decliners 1,005 to 563, with 101 issues unchanged. Volume fell to 2.18 bln shares from 2.77 yesterday.