TOKYO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday as investors welcomed British parliament's overnight voting to delay the departure date to leave the European Union, with sentiment also lifted by a weaker yen boosting exporters.

In the opening minutes after the morning bell, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 174.67 points, or 0.82 percent, from Thursday to 21,461.69.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 14.03 points, or 0.88 percent, to 1,602.32.

Early gainers comprised mining, real estate and consumer credit-oriented issues.