As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average tumbled 665.79 points, or 2.96 percent, from Thursday to 21,807.12.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, plunged 46.22 points, or 2.91 percent, at 1,542.70.
All industry categories fell into negative territory, with marine transportation, mining and nonferrous metal issues comprising those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.
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