TOKYO: Tokyo stocks opened 0.27 percent lower on Tuesday as the safe-haven yen remained strong after its surge overnight amid worries over the European economy.
The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange opened down 27.66 points at 10,082.21.
The dollar was changing hands at 81.76 yen in early Asian trade, down from 82.06 yen in New York late Monday and rates above 83.00 yen a day earlier.
The strong yen could weigh on market sentiment, Tachibana Securities operating officer Kenichi Hirano told Dow Jones Newswires.
A strong yen hurts Japanese exporters and dampens the stock market.
US stocks started the second quarter on a high note Monday after US manufacturing data picked up more than expected.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.40 percent to finish at 13,264.49.
"While markets are benefiting from global liquidity, signs of an economic recovery are also positively impacting markets," Hirano said, referring to the positive US manufacturing data.
The euro fetched $1.3333 and 109.02 yen, compared with $1.3319 and 109.32 yen in New York.