Tokyo stocks open lower as investors take profits, Abe's cabinet reshuffle eyed

TOKYO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened marginally lower Thursday as investors opted to lock in gains following the market's recent closing highs amid a circumspect mood ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet reshuffle today aimed at raising public support from historic lows.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 35.99 points, or 0.18 percent, from Tuesday to 20,044.05.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 1.49 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,632.89.

Electrical appliance, iron and steel, and chemical-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in early trade.