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

TOKYO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday tracking U.S. shares retreating overnight after U.S. manufacturing data for November missed market expectations, with Washington's move to reinstate tariffs on steel and aluminum from Brazil and Argentina also denting sentiment.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 257.72 points, or 1.10 percent, from Monday to 23,271.78.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 16.33 points, or 0.95 percent, at 1,698.16.

Pulp and paper, iron and steel, and marine transportation-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.