Tokyo stocks opened nearly flat Wednesday, as buying on continued high expectations for Japanese equities was offset by selling to lock in gains after the Nikkei index's recent all-time highs.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 38.63 points, or 0.10 percent, from Tuesday to 39,200.89. The broader Topix index was down 1.24 points, or 0.05 percent, at 2,677.22.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by miscellaneous product, retail and wholesale trade shares.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 150.50-51 yen compared with 150.44-54 yen in New York and 150.35-36 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0839-0843 and 163.13-20 yen against $1.0840-0850 and 163.17-27 yen in New York, and $1.0855-0856 and 163.21-25 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.