Tokyo stocks opened flat Friday, as buying after gains on Wall Street overnight was offset by selling amid concerns over a possible U.S. government shutdown amid political conflict over federal spending.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 26.80 points, or 0.08 percent, from Thursday to 31,899.32. The broader Topix index was down 6.52 points, or 0.28 percent, at 2,338.99.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by textiles and apparel, land transportation, and warehousing and harbor transportation issues. The main decliners were marine transportation, oil and coal product, and mining issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 149.32-35 yen compared with 149.25-35 yen in New York and 149.31-32 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0560-0564 and 157.68-77 yen against $1.0561-0571 and 157.69-79 yen in New York and $1.0509-0510 and 156.92-96 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.
