Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday, dragged down by semiconductor-related shares as the market awaits a possible weak earnings report from the world's largest contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 112.24 points, or 0.39 percent, from Wednesday to 28,494.52. The broader Topix index was down 9.58 points, or 0.47 percent, at 2,030.80.
Decliners were led by wholesale trade, marine transportation and transport equipment shares.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 134.70-73 yen compared with 134.68-78 yen in New York and 134.73-75 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0951-0952 and 147.51-56 yen against $1.0951-0961 and 147.57-67 yen in New York and $1.0962-0964 and 147.70-74 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
