TOKYO: Tokyo stocks opened almost flat on Tuesday with a strong yen offsetting expectations for a US economic recovery.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange opened up 0.06 percent or 5.51 points at 9,476.15.
The index may struggle for direction as concerns over a stronger yen offset hopes for a US economic recovery on better-than-expected retail sales data, said Hiroichi Nishi, general manager of equity division at SMBC Nikko Securities.
"US retail sales data was good, but the yen is strengthening," he told Dow Jones Newswires.
The dollar was trading at 80.43 yen in early Asian trade, compared with 80.39 yen late Monday in New York where the greenback lost ground after data pointed to a manufacturing slowdown in the northeast region of the country.
The euro bought $1.3118 and 105.53 yen against $1.3143 and 105.64 yen in New York.
US stocks were mixed Monday as investors weighed the March retail sales numbers, a sharp slowdown in New York manufacturing and renewed eurozone debt tensions.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.56 percent to finish at 12,921.41.
The Commerce Department reported overall retail and food service sales expanded by 0.8 percent last month, slightly below February's increase but better than analysts expected.
But the New York state manufacturing index plunged to 6.6 in April, from 20.2 in March, and a homebuilders' sentiment index fell more than expected.
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