Tokyo stocks lost ground Wednesday morning as Wall Street's losses overnight set a weak tone early on, compounded by the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar impacting exporter issues.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged 17.22 points, or 0.09 percent lower, from Tuesday to 19,660.63.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 3.43 points, or 0.22 percent, to 1,569.24.

Mining, oil and coal product, and bank-related stocks comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.