TOKYO, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday as investors opted to secure profits early on following the Nikkei's recent advance.

In the opening minutes after the morning bell, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 168.32 points, or 0.76 percent, from Monday to 21,980.89.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 13.26 points, or 0.75 percent, at 1,761.89.

Machinery, bank and nonferrous metal-linked issues comprised those that led early decliners.