Tokyo stocks fell Thursday, with both the Nikkei and Topix closing at three-week lows, as weak U.S. employment data hurt investor sentiment while a stronger yen weighed on exporter issues.
The 225-issue Nikkei average ended down 436.87 points, or 2.01 percent, from Wednesday at 21,341.74. The broader Topix index of all first section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 27.42 points, or 1.72 percent, lower at 1,568.87.
All industrial categories lost ground, with decliners led by mining, farm and fishery, and transportation equipment issues.