Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday, weighed down by selling of semiconductor-linked shares and a cautious mood ahead of U.S. inflation data to be released later this week. In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 179.09 points, or 0.49 percent, from Monday to 36,036.66. The broader Topix index was down 3.22 points, or 0.12 percent, at 2,576.51. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by pharmaceutical, machinery and electric appliance issues. At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 143.18-19 yen compared with 142.93-143.03 yen in New York and 143.15-17 yen…