The Tokyo market players sold shares in Friday trading to send stocks lower on widespread concerns over a possible recession in the United States and its impact on the Japanese economy.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 115.73 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 14,272.38.
The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 11.41 points, or 0.81 per cent, at 1,389.95.
On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 109.60-65 yen, down from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 109.84-87 yen.
The euro was quoted at 1.4797-4802 dollars, up from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 1.4672-75 dollars, and at 162.21-26 yen, up from 161.19-23 yen. ( Dpa )