TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday, weighed down by an overnight decline of the U.S. Dow Jones index on caution amid U.S.-China trade talks and ahead of earnings reports from some U.S. tech giants later this week.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 280.53 points, or 0.68 percent, from Monday to 40,717.74. The broader Topix index was down 22.29 points, or 0.76 percent, at 2,908.44.

On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by transportation equipment, electric appliance and wholesale trade issues.

At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 148.46-47 yen compared with 148.49-59 yen in New York and 148.28-30 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday.

The euro was quoted at $1.1595-1598 and 172.14-20 yen against $1.1581-1591 and 172.08-18 yen in New York and $1.1674-1675 and 173.11-15 yen in Tokyo late Monday afternoon.