TOKYO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar pressured exporter issues.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 97.34 points, or 0.40 percent, from Tuesday to 24,026.81.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 5.94 points, or 0.31 percent, to 1,905.13.

Machinery, electric appliance and bank-oriented issues led those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.