Tokyo stocks opened almost flat Wednesday, as selling of tech shares tracking Wall Street declines was offset by buying of exporters on a weakening of the yen against the U.S. dollar.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 6.59 points, or 0.02 percent, from Tuesday to 33,360.73. The broader Topix index was up 5.91 points, or 0.25 percent, at 2,373.70.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by pulp and paper, and electric power and gas issues, while the top decliners were air transportation, and oil and coal product issues.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 148.12-15 yen compared with 148.34-44 yen in New York and 147.50-53 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0917-0918 and 161.71-76 yen against $1.0906-0916 and 161.88-98 yen in New York and $1.0953-0955 and 161.57-61 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
