Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

GROWING CONCERNS over the strong yen's impact on earnings of blue- chip exporters sent the Nikkei average sharply lower.

The 225 share Nikkei index closed 104.21 points, or 0.76 per cent down, at 13,564.51 to finish 580.10 points or 4.1 per cent lower than a week ago. December futures fell 170 to 13,550.

Dealers said that foreign investors still holding blue-chip stocks were selling.

Morisho, a small Hokkaido-based property developer, also filed for bankruptcy protection which hurt sentiment.