Tokyo stocks open lower on reports of U.S. levy hikes on imported vehicles

TOKYO, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower on Thursday on investor consternation following reports the United States may propose increasing levies on vehicle imports to 25 percent and on the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 120.24 points, or 0.53 percent, from Wednesday to 22,569.50.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 9.37 points, or 0.52 percent, at 1,787.94.

Mining, machinery and nonferrous metal-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.