Japanese stocks fell sharply on Wednesday as investors sold shares to lock in quick profits after recent gains and as market sentiment was hurt by overnight losses on Wall Street and European bourses.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 341.72 points, or 2.17 per cent, to end at 15,407.94 after rising 0.6 per cent on Tuesday.
The broader-based Topix index was down 21.55 points, or 1.71 per cent, at 1,240.99.
On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at ¥102.48-49, down from Tuesday’s 5 pm quote of ¥103.06-07.
The euro was quoted at ¥139.23-27, down from ¥139.63-64 late on Tuesday and at $1.3585-3590, up from $1.3548-3549 dollars.