TOKYO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday tracking a drop in U.S. shares overnight on investor concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policy could harm economic ties with multiple countries.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 48.52 points, or 0.22 percent, from Wednesday to 21,728.77.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 4.00 points, or 0.23 percent, at 1,739.21.

Pulp and paper, iron and steel, and rubber product-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.