Tokyo stocks were sharply lower Thursday, the first trading day of 2024, amid negative investor sentiment after a powerful earthquake struck central Japan on New Year's Day and Wall Street shares fell overnight.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 762.06 points, or 2.28 percent, from Friday to 32,702.11. The broader Topix index was down 30.75 points, or 1.30 percent, at 2,335.64.
Japanese financial markets were closed from Monday to Wednesday due to the New Year holidays.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by precision instrument, electric appliance and electric power and gas issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 142.99-143.00 yen compared with 143.25-35 yen in New York at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0924-0928 and 156.20-27 yen against $1.0918-0928 and 156.41-51 yen in New York late Wednesday afternoon.
