Tokyo stocks opened slightly higher Thursday after Wall Street was supported by data showing a sharp drop in U.S. wholesale prices, bolstering hopes the Federal Reserve may have finished hiking interest rates.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 49.55 points, or 0.15 percent, from Wednesday to 33,569.25. The broader Topix index was up 7.91 points, or 0.33 percent, at 2,381.13.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by service, bank, and oil and coal product issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 151.20-23 yen compared with 151.34-44 yen in New York and 150.68-69 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
In New York overnight, the euro briefly climbed to a 15-year high of 164.17 yen, reflecting the monetary policy divergence between the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan. The ECB has been tightening its monetary policy to curb inflation, while the BOJ has maintained its ultraloose policy.
The euro was quoted at $1.0854-0855 and 164.11-16 yen against $1.0841-0851 and 164.09-19 yen in New York and $1.0872-0874 and 163.83-87 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
