Tokyo stocks open lower as yen firms on possible ECB stimulus tapering

TOKYO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday as the European Central Bank (ECB) indicating it may start tapering its stimulus program amid stable growth in the eurozone sent the U.S. dollar lower against the yen.

As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 55.26 points, or 0.28 percent, from Thursday to 19,341.26.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged down 1.36 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,596.88.

Food, insurance and real estate-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes of trade.