Tokyo stocks declined at the opening on Thursday as Wall Street's decline overnight compounded a dour market mood resulted from major global bourses losing ground recently.
As of 9.15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 591. 51 points, or 3.34 percent, from Wednesday to 17,124.12, Xinhua news agency reported.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, tumbled 45.57 points, or 3.16 percent, to 1,396.52.
All categories on the main section retreated, with iron and steel, electric machinery and wholesale trade issues comprising major decliners.