20000222

Japanese stocks close lower

TOKYO: Japanese stocks fell the benchmark 225-issue Nikkie Stock Average shed 245.28 points, or 1.23 percent, to finish the day at 19,543.75 points. On Friday, the average closed down 2.37 points, or 0.01 percent.

The broader Tokyo Stock Price Index of all issues listed on the first section closed at 1,680.72, down 39.05 points, or 2.27 percent. The TOPIX finished up 2.66 points, or 0.15 percent, on Friday.

An estimated 624 million shares changed hands on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, down from 667.81 million shares on Friday.

Decliners overwhelmed advancers 1,046 to 222, while 95 issues were unchanged.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond fell to 1.8100 percent from Friday's finish of 1.8200 percent. Its price rose 0.09 point to 99.14.ÑAFP