Tokyo stocks open marginally lower

Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower on Tuesday as investors were in a circumspect mood ahead of the outcome of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting on Wednesday that could change the course of the US interest rates.

As of 9.15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 14.83 points, or 0.08 percent, from Monday to 18,868.59, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dipped 1.26 points, or 0.08 percent, to 1,526.62, Xinhua news agency reported.

Early decliners comprised iron and steel, shipping and pulp and paper-linked issues.