Nikkei opens down 0.8 pct, exporters pressured

TOKYO, Oct 19 (Reuters) Japan's Nikkei average opened down 0.8 percent on Friday at 16,965.00, with exporters such as Hitachi slipping on pressure from a stronger yen and banks also seeing renewed selling.

As of 0005 GMT the benchmark Nikkei was down 1.1 percent at 16,882.72. The broader TOPIX was down 1.3 percent at 1,596.08.

REUTERS RKM BST0700