Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

THE CONTINUED strength of the yen against the dollar and signs that the Japanese authorities accept they can do little to reverse the trend led to sharp falls in Japanese shares, especially in leading exporters such as Sony, TDK, Canon, Nikon and Mitsubishi Electric. The Nikkei index closed 183.15 down at 13,232.74.

Weak sales in 1998 affected car companies. Honda fell 70 to 3,510 yen, Toyota was down 90 at 2,865 yen and tyre maker Bridgestone shed 200 to 2,300 yen.