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TOKYO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower Monday as continued concerns about the spread of the coronavirus saw investors in a risk-off mood compounded by a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar which dented exporters.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 224.74 points, or 1.06 percent, from Friday to 20,918.22.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 14.28 points, or 0.95 percent, to 1,496.59.

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