Tokyo stocks opened mixed Thursday as the U.S. Federal Reserve holding its rates steady and indicating it was on course for a rate hike in Dec. saw the U.S. dollar rise against the yen which boosted exporters here.

However, some investors opted to secure profits after Japanese bellwether firms reported robust earnings and upgraded outlooks for the fiscal first-half.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 21.71 points, or 0.10 percent, from Wednesday to 22,441.79.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 1.54 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,785.17.

Nonferrous metal and mining issues comprised those that gained the most in early trade, whereas air transportation and pharmaceutical issues led those that declined.