Tokyo stocks flat in morning despite robust U.S. shares

Tokyo stocks were almost flat Tuesday morning as buying following an overnight rise in U.S. shares was offset by profit-taking after the benchmark Nikkei rose to a seven-month high the previous day. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 10.02 points, or 0.03 percent, from Monday to 28,861.76. The broader Topix index was down 3.77 points, or 0.19 percent, at 1,981.19. On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by air transportation, real estate and retail issues, while marine transportation, mining, and oil and coal product issues were major decliners.