Nikkei opens higher on optimism over eurozone debt crisis

TOKYO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Nikkei opened higher Monday after European Union leaders reached an agreement last week abating worries over the region's debt crisis.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average advanced 122.24 points, or 1.43 percent, from Friday to 8, 658.70.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 9.20 points, or 1.25 percent, to 747. 32.