Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday, weighed down by declines on Wall Street overnight after remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell raised fears of further interest rate hikes in the world's largest economy.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 298.84 points, or 0.95 percent, from Thursday to 31,131.78. The broader Topix index was down 15.86 points, or 0.70 percent, at 2,248.30.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by transportation equipment, marine transportation and machinery issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 149.80-81 yen compared with 149.74-84 yen in New York and 149.80-81 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0584-0588 and 158.55-62 yen against $1.0577-0587 and 158.50-60 yen in New York, and $1.0537-0538 and 157.85-89 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.
