Tokyo stocks open higher as yen's retreat gives exporters boost

TOKYO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened marginally higher Thursday as exporter-linked issues got a boost from the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 29.76 points, or 0.16 percent, from Wednesday to 18,461.96.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 3.14 points, or 0.21 percent, to 1,474.56.

Rubber product, transportation equipment, and electric appliance-linked stocks comprised those that notably advanced in early trade.