Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday following Wall Street's weak lead overnight, as investor sentiment was dented as a stalemate in fiscal stimulus negotiations continued, drugmakers paused COVID-19 vaccine trials, and antibody treatments caused concern.
As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 52.08 points, or 0.22 percent, from Tuesday to 23,549.70.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 6.93 points, or 0.42 percent, at 1,642.17.
Mining, iron and steel, and air transportation-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.