TOKYO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower on Friday, as U.S. shares tanked again overnight on rising interest rate woes.

In early deals, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 681.92 points, or 3.12 percent, from Thursday to 21,208.94.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 51.28 points, or 2.90 percent, to 1,714.41.

Mining, marine transportation and machinery-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.