Tokyo stocks open higher on Wall Street's winning streak, firm yen weighs

TOKYO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday after Wall Street extended its winning streak overnight, but the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar dented sentiment and pressured exporter issues.

As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 117.97 points, or 0.55 percent, from Thursday to 21,582.95.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 11.91 points, or 0.69 percent, to 1,731.18.

Electric power and gas, pharmaceuticals, and fishery, agriculture and forestry-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.