Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday as the market mood was buoyed by U.S. shares' advancing overnight.

As of 9:15 a.m, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 44.53 points, or 0.22 percent, from Thursday to 20,144.34.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 5.44 points, or 0.34 percent, to 1,624.55.

Bank, rubber product and transportation equipment-related stocks comprised those that gained the most in early trade.