Tokyo stocks open higher on weaker yen

Tokyo stocks opened sharply higher early Tuesday supported by the yen's depreciation against the U.S. dollar.

At 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average soured 214.64 points, or 1.23 percent, from Monday to 17,683.16.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 13.99 points, or 1.00 percent, to 1, 416.07.

Major gainers included precision instrument, steel and iron, and insurance issues. Endi