TOKYO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks fell on Monday as a stronger yen against the U.S. dollar weighed on export-oriented stocks like Toyota and Mazda.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed at 34,279.92, down 450.36 points, or 1.3 percent, from the previous trading day.
The yen briefly hit the upper 140-yen range per dollar, its strongest level in about seven months, raising concerns about the profitability of Japanese exporters.
In contrast, retailers such as Nitori Holdings and Kobe Bussan, which benefit from a stronger yen, gained.
Investor sentiment was also subdued by uncertainty surrounding the impact of U.S. trade policies on corporate earnings.
The broader Topix index also declined, falling 30.22 points, or 1.18 percent, to close at 2,528.93.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, 937 stocks fell, 653 gained, and 47 remained unchanged. ■
