Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower Friday, weighed down by major semiconductor-related companies that declined in line with their U.S. counterparts overnight.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 546.00 points, or 1.43 percent, from Thursday to 37,533.70. The broader Topix index was down 23.23 points, or 0.87 percent, at 2,654.22.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by precision instrument, machinery and metal product shares.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 154.61-62 yen compared with 154.60-70 yen in New York and 154.27-28 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0640-0644 and 164.51-58 yen against $1.0638-0648 and 164.56-66 yen in New York, and $1.0680-0681 and 164.77-81 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.
