By Myra P. Saefong
TOKYO (MarketWatch) -- Japanese shares fell Wednesday morning in Tokyo as fresh strength in the yen pressured shares of major exporters. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NI225 9,566, -35.79, -0.37%) was down 0.5% at 9,556.43 and the broader Topix fell 0.4% at 846.84 as the U.S. dollar fell below ¥85. Exporters Elpida Memory Inc. (JP:6665 959.00, +6.00, +0.63%) (ELPDF 11.30, -0.20, -1.74%) fell by 1.7%, JVC Kenwood Holdings Inc. (JP:6632 277.00, -7.00, -2.46%) (JVCZF 0.00, 0.00, 0.00%) lost 2.5% and Nikon Corp. (JP:7731 1,551, +9.00, +0.58%) (NINOF 18.00, +0.90, +5.26%) fell 1.6%. But safe-haven stocks such as pharmaceuticals were among the few gainers, with Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. (JP:4568 1,706, +14.00, +0.83%) (DSKYF 19.25, -0.42, -2.14%) adding 1% and Eisai Co. Ltd. (JP:4523 3,070, +35.00, +1.15%) (ESALF 36.50, +1.40, +3.99%) up 1.5%. Elsewhere in the region, South Korea's stock exchange remained closed for a local holiday. |
