The Nikkei stock index briefly shed over 3 percent early Monday, hit by selling of tech and exporter shares after declines on Wall Street late last week and a stronger yen against the U.S. dollar. In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 1,045.51 points, or 2.87 percent, from Friday to 35,345.96. The broader Topix index was down 67.88 points, or 2.61 percent, at 2,529.54.