Tokyo stocks open higher on oil price rise, softer yen

TOKYO, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday as a rise in prices for crude oil lifted energy-related issues, while a comparatively soft yen versus the U.S. dollars gave exporters a boost.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 205.50 points, or 1.15 percent, from Thursday to 18,024.22.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 16.00 points, or 1.20 percent, at 1,345.87.

Mining, oil and coal product, and precision instrument-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.