Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

STOCKS FELL for the third successive day, with the rising yen and falling bonds undermining sentiment. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 188.52 points, or 1.31 per cent, at 14,161.31. March futures slid 80 points to 14,220.

Global blue chips, including Sony, Honda and Canon, suffered from the yen's appreciation. Falling bonds hit shares in banks, major holders of government debt.

Sumitomo Rubber bucked the trend, jumping almost 8 per cent on news of its planned link with the US tyre giant Goodyear.