Tokyo stocks opened sharply lower Monday on selling spurred by declines in European and U.S. markets late last week amid concern about political turmoil in France ahead of a parliamentary election. In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 683.21 points, or 1.76 percent, from Friday to 38,131.35. The broader Topix index was down 40.22 points, or 1.46 percent, at 2,706.39. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by transportation equipment, real estate and nonferrous metal issues. At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 157.55-57 yen compared with 157.40-50…