Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

SHARES FELL BACK by the close, after a morning spurt of buying in high-technology shares and international blue chips faded on renewed concern about a higher yen.

The Nikkei 225 average fell 43.1 points or 0.25 per cent to end at 17,491.34.

Hi-techs and international blue chips pared some of their earlier gains, but many closed in positive ground. Hitachi gained 3.92 per cent, Matsushita advanced 2.2 per cent and Sony rose 1.97 per cent.