TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average opened lower on Friday, with a stronger yen against both the dollar and euro after more ratings downgrades of European countries weighing on shares in holiday-thinned trade.
But underlying strong sentiment, which helped lift the Nikkei to its highest level since May 14 on Wednesday, reflecting general bullishness in global equities markets and a positive outlook for 2011, was seen likely to limit losses and provide support throughout the day.
The benchmark Nikkei fell 0.6 percent or 65.92 points to 10,281.84.
The broader Topix index was 0.3 percent lower at 902.80. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Michael Watson)