TOKYO - Japanese share prices opened slightly lower on Wednesday as a global stock market rally showed signs of losing steam amid continued nervousness about problems in the US mortgage sector, dealers said.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange`s benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares fell 34.74 points or 0.22 percent to 15,866.60 in the first few minutes of trading, turning lower after two straight days of gains.
The broader Topix index of all first-section shares dropped 1.29 points or 0.08 percent to 1,548.59.
Overnight on Wall Street shares closed mixed Tuesday as investors mulled the Federal Reserve`s next move to deal with difficult credit conditions and a loss of confidence in the face of a widening US housing market crisis.
08/22/2007 00:10 GMT