Tokyo stocks open lower as strong yen weighs on exporters

TOKYO, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday as interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve sent the yen higher against the U.S. dollar which negatively impacted exporter issues and dented market sentiment.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 119.61 points, or 0.54 percent, from Monday to 22,079.39.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 6.91 points, or 0.41 percent, at 1,685.24.

Marine transportation, nonferrous metal, and glass and ceramics product-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.