Tokyo stocks open lower on concerns about continued U.S. gov't shutdown

TOKYO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday as concerns mounted about the health of the U.S. economy following a report that the White House had asked for a list of programs that would suffer if the government shutdown continues as far as April.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 52.50 points, or 0.25 percent, from Wednesday to 20,541.22.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 2.22 points, or 0.14 percent, at 1,544.81.

Oil and coal product, land transportation, and rubber product-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.