Tokyo stocks open lower on U.S.-linked trade concerns

TOKYO, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Monday on concerns over free trade talks between the United States and Canada.

As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 98.57 points, or 0.43 percent, from Friday to 22,766.58.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 7.84 points, or 0.45 percent, to 1,727.51.

Iron and steel, mining, and pulp and paper-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.