Tokyo stocks open flat as bargain hunting offset by firm "safe haven" yen

TOKYO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened flat in early trading on Tuesday as investors opting to buy on dips was offset by a comparatively firm yen, driven up as a safe haven currency owing to heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsular.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 2.70 points, or 0.01 percent, from Monday to 19,390.43.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged up 0.23 point, or 0.01 percent, to 1,595.42.

Real estate, information and communication-linked issues comprised those that made notable gains in the opening minutes of trade.

Mining and marine transportation issues, meanwhile, were among those that declined the most.