TOKYO, JAPAN - Japanese stocks opened flat on Friday, then edged lower as automakers fell on a stronger yen and industry leader Toyota Motor slid 3.7 per cent after forecasting its first annual profit decline in seven years.

The benchmark Nikkei average opened flat at 13,941.30 but then fell 0.3 per cent to 13895.73.

The broader Topix index dipped 0.4 per cent to 1,367.76. -- REUTERS