TOKYO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday on investor consternation about Italy's political situation, Wall Street's overnight retreat and a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar, which hurt exporter issues.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 334.29 points, or 1.50 percent, from Tuesday to 22,024.14.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 24.88 points, or 1.41 percent, to 1,736.97.

Nonferrous metal, bank and insurance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.