Tokyo stocks open sharply lower on Wall St. losses, stronger yen

Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower early Friday following a decline on Wall Street and the yen's jump against the U.S. dollar.

At 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 348.09 points, or 2.03 percent, from Thursday to 16,760.61.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange edged down 23.90 points, or 1.74 percent, to 1,352.70.

Major declining sectors included sea transport, insurance and brokerages. Endi