TOKYO -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday, dragged down by technology shares that tracked an overnight decline of U.S. counterparts.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 518.06 points, or 1.55 percent, from Tuesday to 32,958.52. The broader Topix index was down 26.29 points, or 1.12 percent, at 2,311.07.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners included securities house, insurance, and electric power and gas issues.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 142.95-98 yen compared with 143.29-39 yen in New York and 142.71-73 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.1006-1010 and 157.33-42 yen against $1.0979-0989 and 157.40-50 yen in New York, and $1.0979-0980 and 156.69-73 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
Agence France-Presse
