TOKYO: Tokyo stocks have opened 0.38 per cent lower after the yen firmed against the US dollar on another round of discouraging US data.
The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 75.37 points to 19,810.40 at the start of trade on Friday.
The US dollar slid on Thursday as new US economic data disappointed, adding further evidence to reasons for the Federal Reserve to hold off raising interest rates.
Government data showed that US housing starts rose less than expected in March. Initial jobless claims, a sign of the pace of layoffs, increased well above estimates to their highest level in six weeks.
The US dollar bought 119.06 yen early on Friday, hardly changed from 119.04 yen in New York but down from 119.33 yen in Tokyo the day before.
A stronger yen is negative for Japanese exporters as it makes them less competitive abroad and erode profits when repatriated.
The euro fetched $US1.0767 and 128.13 yen on Friday compared with $US1.0761 and 128.10 yen in US trade.
