Tokyo stocks open sharply lower tracking Wall Street's losses, firm yen weighs

TOKYO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower Monday following Wall Street's weak tone set at the end of last week, with a firm yen contributing to a risk-off mood and dragging down exporters.

As of 9:15 a.m, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 431.98 points, or 1.99 percent, from Friday to 21,246.70.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 28.22 points, or 1.74 percent, at 1,592.23.

Electric appliance, machinery, and chemical-related issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.