TOKYO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher Friday as protectionist concerns abated for some countries after Washington said that some of its allies would be exempted from new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 303.67 points, or 1.42 percent, from Thursday to 21,671.74.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 19.42 points, or 1.14 percent, at 1,729.37.

Construction, precision instrument and chemical-linked issues comprised those that gained the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.