Tokyo stocks open higher as yen's soft tone lifts exporters

TOKYO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday as the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar propelled exporter-linked issues and supported the broader market.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 153.66 points, or 0.83 percent, from Thursday to 18,750.72.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 14.32 points, or 0.97 percent, to 1,494.50.

Issues that notable advanced into positive territory in early play comprised marine transportation, machinery and retail-linked stocks.