Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday as the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar dented the overall market mood and weighed on exporter issues in particular.

As of 9:15 a.m local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 76.95 points, or 0.38 percent, from Friday to 20,041.91.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 6.08 points, or 0.37 percent, to 1,619.40.

Bank, transportation equipment and securities-linked stocks comprised those that declined the most in early trade.

Markets in Japan were closed on Monday for a national holiday.