Tokyo shares opened sharply lower on Tuesday following declines in the overnight U.S. stocks market.

At 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 242.62 points, or 1.28 percent, from Monday to 18,647.86.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 17.78 points, or 1.16 percent, at 1, 519.27.