TOKYO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened essentially flat Thursday as investors sought out fresh cues in thin trade ahead of the end of the year.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 6.39 points, or 0.03 percent, from Wednesday to 22,904.82.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged down 2.58 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,827.21.

Oil and coal product and bank issues led those that declined in early trade. Marine transportation and precision instrument-linked issues led those that gained.