Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower in early trading on Monday as investor sentiment was dampened by weaker- than-expected US jobs data released at the end of last week.
At 9.15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 229. 42 points, or 1.29 percent, from Friday to 17,562.74. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange shed 21.82 points, or 1.51 percent, to 1,422.71.
Every industry category on the main section lost ground, with decliners led by real estate, securities and rubber products.