TOKYO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened essentially flat on Friday as investors bought on the back of the Dow Jones Industrial Average's overnight rally, while others sold for profits ahead of the long weekend here.

(File photo:AFP)

As of 9:15 am, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 17.57 points, or 0.08 percent, from Thursday to 21,625.96.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 0.69 point, or 0.04 percent, at 1,577.94.

Mining and pharmaceutical issues led notable decliners, while insurance and precision instrument-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.