Tokyo shares open low

Tokyo shares opened sharply lower on Friday as investors' sentiment was disappointed by weaker-than-expected stimulus measures the European Central Bank released overnight.

At 9.15 a.m. (local time) the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 331.31 points, or 1.66 percent, from Thursday to 19,608.59, Xinhua reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 25.67 points, or 1.60 percent, to 1,577.27.