TOKYO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Thursday after U.S. shares gained overnight following the release of some upbeat corporate earnings reports.

(File photo: AP)

As markets opened here, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 51.69 points, or 0.22 percent, from Wednesday to 23,968.27.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 1.26 points, or 0.07 percent, at 1,732.32.

Pharmaceutical, oil and coal product, and food-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minuets after the morning bell.