Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower Friday, tracking overnight falls on Wall Street, while a firmer yen against the U.S. dollar dented exporter issues.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 625.87 points, or 1.57 percent, from Thursday to 39,147.27. The broader Topix index was down 30.74 points, or 1.13 percent, at 2,701.26.
On the top-tier Prime Market, precision instrument, electric appliance and transportation equipment issues were among the main decliners.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 151.28-31 yen compared with 151.30-40 yen in New York and 151.68-70 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0835-0839 and 163.91-164.00 yen against $1.0832-0842 and 163.95-164.05 yen in New York and $1.0856-0858 and 164.67-71 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.
