Tokyo shares end lower on yen's appreciation

Tokyo shares ended the trading Friday lower on the yen's fast appreciation against other major currencies.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 211.57 points, or 1.25 percent, from Thursday at 16,724.81.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 13.92 points, or 1.02 percent, to 1,345.05.

Decliners were led by insurance, transportation equipment, and pharmaceutical issues.

The day's turnover was about 2,450.4 billion yen (around 20.02 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem