Japan stocks open down 0.5 percent, exporters sold

(Updates to opening)

TOKYO, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks opened down 0.48 percent on Tuesday, with shares of exporters such as Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) sold.

The benchmark Nikkei average .N225 was down 0.33 percent or 56.41 points at 16,468.52 as of 0006 GMT. The broader TOPIX index lost 0.2 percent or 2.98 points to 1,602.46.