Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday as the market mood was dampened by British Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to leave the European Union being nixed in a parliamentary vote overnight.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 36.68 points, or 0.17 percent, from Tuesday to 21,467.01.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 2.23 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,603.25.

Securities house, electric appliance and consumer credit-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.