As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 570.98 points, or 2.92 percent, from Wednesday to 18,975.65.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 30.73 points, or 2.16 percent, at 1,393.89.
All industry categories retreated into negative territory, with retail, real estate, and iron and steel issues comprising those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.
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