Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday, led by the selling of heavyweight technology shares that tracked overnight declines of their U.S. counterparts.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 216.97 points, or 0.65 percent, from Monday to 33,014.30. The broader Topix index was down 2.30 points, or 0.10 percent, at 2,360.35.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by iron and steel, electric power and gas, and machinery issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 147.29-32 yen compared with 147.15-25 yen in New York and 146.95-97 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0836-0840 and 159.61-68 yen against $1.0831-0841 and 159.47-57 yen in New York, and $1.0853-0855 and 159.49-53 yen in Tokyo late Monday afternoon.
