Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday, weighed down by declines on Wall Street the previous day and selling of export-related issues due to the yen firming against the U.S. dollar.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 197.37 points, or 0.49 percent, from Tuesday to 39,900.26. The broader Topix index was down 3.58 points, or 0.13 percent, at 2,716.35.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by precision instrument, machinery and electric appliance issues.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 150.02-05 yen compared with 150.00-10 yen in New York and 150.41-43 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0854-0858 and 162.83-92 yen against $1.0851-0861 and 162.81-91 yen in New York and $1.0846-0848 and 163.14-18 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
