TOKYO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Tuesday following a drop in European shares overnight stemming from political uncertainty in Italy and a comparatively firm yen.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 54.00 points, or 0.24 percent, from Monday to 22,427.09.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 2.74 points, or 0.15 percent, at 1,767.68.

Iron and steel, pulp and paper, and nonferrous metal-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes from the morning bell.?