Tokyo stocks open higher as U.S. shares, oil prices set positive tone

TOKYO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Monday as a positive start was set by U.S. shares rising at the end of last week coupled with oil prices staging a rebound.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 123.68 points, or 0.63 percent, from Friday to 19,714.44.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 8.38 points, or 0.54 percent, to 1,568.11.

Iron and steel, mining and machinery-linked issues comprised those that advanced the most in early trade.