Tokyo stocks plunged early Thursday, with the key Nikkei index shedding over 1,000 points to fall over 2 percent, hit by sharp Wall Street declines overnight and a stronger yen weighing on exporters. In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 1,002.92 points, or 2.56 percent, from Wednesday to 38,151.93. The broader Topix index was down 62.00 points, or 2.22 percent, at 2,731.12. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by electric appliance, machinery and insurance issues.