Tokyo stocks open sharply lower following overseas declines

Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower in early trading Tuesday as investor sentiment was smothered after steep declines in European and U.S. markets overnight.

At 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 446. 57 points, or 2.53 percent, from Monday to 17,198.54, a roughly eight-month intraday low. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 40.34 points, or 2. 80 percent, to 1,398.33.

Every industry category on the main section lost ground, with decliners led by shipping, iron and steel and pharmaceutical issues. Endi