TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) - Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower Wednesday following an overnight rout on Wall Street as investors grew increasingly concerned about the growth outlook of the global economy.

An employee looks at monitors at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Photo: VCG)

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 347.27 points, or 1.58 percent, from Tuesday to 21,576.45.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 23.69 points, or 1.48 percent, at 1,576.15.

All industry categories retreated into negative territory, with marine transportation, precision instrument, and air transportation-linked issues comprising notable decliners.