Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday, weighed down by selling of technology shares following overnight declines on Wall Street.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 609.73 points, or 1.53 percent, from Tuesday to 39,229.18. The broader Topix index was down 25.35 points, or 0.93 percent, at 2,689.10.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by precision instrument, machinery, and real estate issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 151.53-56 yen compared with 151.48-58 yen in New York and 151.67-69 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0766-0770 and 163.14-23 yen against $1.0764-0774 and 163.14-24 yen in New York and $1.0741-0743 and 162.91-95 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
