Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower Monday amid concern over prolonged monetary tightening in the United States to tame inflation after the release of a stronger-than-expected jobs report for November.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 8.98 points, or 0.03 percent, from Friday to 27,768.92. The broader Topix index was down 5.38 points, or 0.28 percent, at 1,948.60.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by marine transportation, electric power and gas, and warehousing and harbor transportation service issues.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 134.47-50 yen compared with 134.29-39 yen in New York and 134.64-66 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0542-0546 and 141.77-83 yen against $1.0535-0545 and 141.48-58 yen in New York and $1.0529-0530 and 141.77-81 yen in Tokyo late Friday afternoon.