Photo: VCG

TOKYO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened essentially flat Wednesday, as investors took profits after the Nikkei's 14-month closing high the previous day and bought on the back of U.S. shares rising overnight.

In early trade, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 35.08 points, or 0.15 percent, from Tuesday to 24,031.04.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 3.17 points, or 0.18 percent, at 1,744.03.

Marine transportation and real estate issues led notable decliners, while information and communication, and food-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.