Tokyo stocks open lower after BOJ survey

Tokyo stocks opened lower on Friday after the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) Tankan survey, which reveals sentiment among the nation's big manufacturers, worsened in March.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 222. 69 points, or 1.33 percent, from Thursday to 16,535.98.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 20.28 points, or 1.51 percent, to 1,326. 92.

As of just after the opening bell, all industry categories on the main section retreated into negative territory, comprised by air transportation, land transportation, and pharmaceutical-linked stocks.