Tokyo stocks open lower on Wall Street's continued selloff, European shares' slump

TOKYO, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Friday tracking further losses on Wall Street overnight amid heightening concerns over rising interest rates, with European stocks also denting sentiment following another slump.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 47.44 points, or 0.21 percent, from Thursday to 22,543.42.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 7.67 points, or 0.45 percent, at 1,694.19.

Insurance, oil and coal product, and pharmaceutical-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.