TOKYO: Tokyo stocks fell sharply in early trading Friday, inheriting dampened sentiment from overseas equity markets after the European Central Bank’s stimulus measures, rolled out at a policy meeting overnight, fell short of market expectations.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 331.31 points, or 1.66 percent, from Thursday to 19,608.59. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 25.67 points, or 1.60 percent, to 1,577.27.
Every industry category on the main section lost ground except agriculture and fisheries, with decliners led by shipping, financing business and insurance issues.
