Tokyo stocks open higher on Wall Street's lead, yen's retreat

TOKYO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Thursday, led by U.S. shares advancing overnight, with investor sentiment also bolstered by the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar, which lifted exporter issues.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 71.03 points, or 0.35 percent, from Wednesday to 20,513.78, in the opening minutes after the morning bell.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 9.88 points, or 0.64 percent, to 1,547.65.

Securities house, pulp and paper, and iron and steel-linked issues comprised those that advanced the most in early play.