Tokyo stocks close lower as strong yen weighs on exporters

TOKYO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Thursday as the strength of the yen against the U.S. dollar weighed on exporter issues and prompted concerns about corporate earnings and outlooks here.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 271.29 points, or 1.13 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 23,669.49, marking its lowest closing level since Jan. 12.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 16.67 points, or 0.88 percent, to finish at 1,884.56.

Air transportation, electric appliance and machinery-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.