Tokyo stocks open lower on widening concerns over trade issues

TOKYO, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday on heightened concerns over U.S. initiated global trade issues, following U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that to curb illegal immigration, tariffs on all imports from Mexico could be hiked.

In the opening minutes after the morning bell, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 237.12 points, or 1.13 percent, from Thursday to 20,705.41.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 15.22 points, or 0.99 percent, at 1,516.76.

Oil and coal product, mining and transportation equipment-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in early trading.