Nikkei opened lower Thursday as investors' optimism from China and Europe receded on weak economic data.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 11.18 points, or 0.12 percent, from Wednesday to 9, 542.82.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 2.36 points, or 0.29 percent, to 823. 04.