Tokyo, Feb 28 (IANS) Tokyo stocks opened lower on Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing ground overnight prompted investors to secure profits after the Nikkei's gains a day earlier.

As of 9:15 am local time (5.45 am IST), the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 105.76 points, or 0.49 percent, from Wednesday to 21,450.75, Xinhua news agency reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 8.46 points, or 0.52 percent, at 1,611.96.

Electric appliance, chemical and machinery-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.

--IANS vin/