TOKYO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks plunged sharply on Monday, as export-oriented issues were sold following the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 961.62 points, or 1.79 percent, from Friday at 52,885.25. The broader Topix index finished 77.21 points, or 2.13 percent, lower at 3,552.49.
The main decliners were transportation equipment, bank and electric appliance issues.
The Nikkei index briefly lost over 2 percent on Monday, pressured by the yen's appreciation that weighed on exporter shares.
The yen hit a two-month high in the upper 153 range against the dollar on Monday amid wariness of possible interventions by Japanese and U.S. authorities. ■