Tokyo stocks open lower after U.S. shares retreat overnight

TOKYO, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower on Wednesday after inheriting a weak lead from Wall Street overnight on continued concerns over trade issues and jitters related to Britain's planned exit from the European Union.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 18.68 points, or 0.09 percent, from Tuesday to 20,606.48.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 5.97 points, or 0.40 percent, at 1,504.82.

Metal product, oil and coal product, and pulp and paper-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.