TOKYO, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The Nikkei average opened down 1.3 percent on Thursday to fall below 10,000 for the first time in three weeks, dented by exporters such as Canon Inc on a stronger yen and after weak new U.S. home sales data sparked a broad sell-off on Wall Street.
The benchmark Nikkei fell 133.48 points to 9,941.57, starting the day at its lowest level since Oct. 9.
The broader Topix shed 1.2 percent to 877.94.
Nomura Holdings fell 1.6 percent, even after its biggest profit in nine quarters, coupled with $1.6 billion in trading gains, suggested the Japanese broker's aggressive push into overseas bond and equity markets is paying off. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)