Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower Monday, tracking losses on Wall Street late last week after upbeat U.S. jobs data increased the possibility of aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 23.18 points, or 0.08 percent, from Friday to 27,627.66. The broader Topix index was down 5.03 points, or 0.26 percent, at 1,925.14.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by marine transportation, pharmaceutical, and transportation equipment issues.
The Japanese yen traded in the mid-140 range against the U.S. dollar in Tokyo, inheriting a downward trend after hitting a fresh 24-year low in New York on Friday.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 140.54-55 yen compared with 140.07-17 yen in New York and 140.24-26 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.
The euro was quoted at $0.9906-9910 and 139.22-29 yen against $0.9951-9961 and 139.55-65 yen in New York and $0.9988-9989 and 140.08-12 yen in Tokyo late Friday afternoon.
