Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesday as weaker-than-expected U.S. consumer price data for November increased the chance the U.S. Federal Reserve will moderate its pace of interest rate hikes.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 82.38 points, or 0.29 percent, from Tuesday to 28,037.23. The broader Topix index was up 4.28 points, or 0.22 percent, at 1,969.96.
On the top-tier Prime Market, mining, textile and apparel, and electric appliance issues led risers.
The U.S. dollar remained around the mid-135 yen range in Tokyo after plummeting by over 2 yen to the upper 134 yen zone in New York as a decline in long-term U.S. government bond yields following the release of weaker inflation data prompted dollar selling.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 135.57-58 yen compared with 135.52-62 yen in New York and 137.40-43 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0622-0626 and 144.00-07 yen against $1.0624-0634 and 144.07-17 yen in New York and $1.0551-0552 and 144.99-145.03 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
