Tokyo stocks declined in early trading on Monday as investor sentiment remained dashed and international bourses dropped at the end of last week and the dollar's rise against the yen dented exporter shares.
As of 9.15 a.m. (local time), the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 178.08 points, or 0.94 percent, from Friday to 18,808.72, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 11.51 points, or 0.75 percent, to 1,525.59, Xinhua reported.
Early decliners comprised electric machinery, securities and insurance-linked issues.