Tokyo - A stronger yen and anxiety over the US economy pushed down Tokyo stocks Thursday. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 225.65 points, or 1.78 per cent, to 12,480.98.
The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 17.81 points, or 1.44 per cent, at 1,219.74.
Investors sold mainly export-oriented auto and high-tech issues as the US dollar fell below the 100-yen level. A stronger yen hurts earnings of Japanese companies.
On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 99.14-19 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 100.15-17 yen.
The euro was quoted at 1.5818-23 dollars, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 1.5598-5601 dollars, and at 156.86-91 yen, up from 156.23-27 yen.
