Japan stocks open lower in retreat from 3-mth high

TOKYO, Sept 5 (Reuters) The Nikkei average opened a tad lower on Tuesday as investors locked in profits on TDK Corp. and other stocks that helped drive the market to its highest in more than three months the previous day.

The market was supported by gains in European shares and a sharp drop in the price of crude oil.

The Nikkei was down 0.30 percent or 49.60 points at 16,308.47 by 0007 GMT, retreating after the previous day's 1.4 percent rally. The broader TOPIX index was 0.32 percent lower at 1,644.09.

REUTERS DH PM0609