TOKYO, Jul. 1, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower Wednesday on an unexpected drop in U.S. consumer confidence, which pulled down Wall Street share prices.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the benchmark Nikkei-225 index lost 3.96 points, or 0.04 percent, to 9,954.48 from Tuesday.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 0.76 points, or 0.08 percent, to 929. 00. The Second Section also lost ground.