Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday, tracking an overnight fall on Wall Street, while investors were cautious ahead of the outcome of the two-day Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting later in the day.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 370.79 points, or 1.14 percent, from Thursday to 32,200.24. The broader Topix index was down 23.07 points, or 0.97 percent, at 2,360.34.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by wholesale trade, electric power and gas, and transportation equipment issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 147.64-67 yen compared with 147.54-64 yen in New York and 148.24-26 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0658-0662 and 157.35-45 yen against $1.0657-0667 and 157.29-39 yen in New York, and $1.0655-0656 and 157.96-158.00 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.
