Tokyo shares opened the trading Wednesday lower following weak performances in the overnight US market and export-oriented issues here was also dragged down by the yen's advance.
At 9.15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 224.09 points, or 1.34 percent, from Tuesday to 16,559.06, Xinhua news agency reported.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 20.05 points, or 1.49 percent, to 1,327.67.