Tokyo stocks open lower as firm yen sends exporters lower

TOKYO, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower on Wednesday as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar sent exporter issues lower and weighed on the broader market.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 63.14 points, or 0.29 percent, from Tuesday to 21,691.13.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 9.08 points, or 0.57 percent, at 1,580.76.

Oil and coal product, mining and nonferrous metal issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.