Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesday as technology issues tracked gains in the U.S. Nasdaq index that finished at a record high overnight. In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 297.76 points, or 0.74 percent, from Tuesday to 40,372.45. The broader Topix index was up 6.15 points, or 0.22 percent, at 2,862.77. On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by machinery, glass and ceramics product, and chemical shares. At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 161.48-51 yen compared with 161.43-53 yen in New York and 161.64-66 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The eur…