Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index opened lower on Friday as investors awaited an address by Fed Chair Jerome Powell for clues about his plans on scaling back the central bank's stimulus programme.

The Nikkei 225 index fell 0.73 percent, or 202.23 points, to 27,540.06 in early trade, and the broader Topix index slipped 0.41 percent, or 7.90 points, to 1,927.45.