Tokyo stocks opened mixed Thursday, as buying following Wall Street gains overnight was offset by selling of exporters on the yen's rapid appreciation against the U.S. dollar after the Federal Reserve hinted at interest rate cuts next year.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 46.59 points, or 0.14 percent, from Wednesday to 32,972.94. The broader Topix index was down 10.73 points, or 0.46 percent, at 2,344.19.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by service and metal product issues, while major decliners were insurance and bank issues.
The U.S. dollar briefly plunged to the lower 142 yen range early Thursday, after the Fed decided to hold interest rates steady at its latest policy meeting.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 142.79-80 yen compared with 142.84-94 yen in New York and 145.81-82 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0881-0885 and 155.37-44 yen against $1.0869-0879 and 155.40-50 yen in New York and $1.0785-0786 and 157.26-30 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
