Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday, following an overnight equities rout on Wall Street over concerns for the outlook of the U.S. economy.

In the opening minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 164.56 points, or 0.75 percent, from Tuesday to 21,871.49.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 14.59 points, or 0.88 percent, at 1,634.61.

Insurance, oil and coal product, and marine transportation-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.