Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday as investors locked in gains following surges the previous day and falls on Wall Street overnight.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 219.62 points, or 0.58 percent, from Tuesday to 37,744.35. The broader Topix index was down 23.82 points, or 0.91 percent, at 2,588.21.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by iron and steel, pulp and paper, and precision instrument issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 150.71-74 yen compared with 150.72-82 yen in New York and 149.58-59 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0707-0711 and 161.37-46 yen against $1.0703-0713 and 161.45-55 yen in New York and $1.0771-0773 and 161.12-16 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
