Tokyo stocks open lower as yen's strength hurts exporters

TOKYO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar dented market sentiment and sent exporter issues lower.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 196.29 points, or 0.82 percent, from Wednesday to 23,744.49.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 14.66 points, or 0.77 percent, to 1,886.57.

Air transportation, electric appliance and bank-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.