Tokyo stocks extend losses on U.S. trade concerns, Abe cronyism scandal

TOKYO, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks extended losses Friday morning as ongoing concerns about U.S. protectionist trade policies saw the yen rise and dent exporter issues, while an ongoing cronyism scandal connected to Japan's prime minister continued to sour the market mood.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 53.36 points, or 0.24 percent, from Thursday to 21,750.59.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 1.80 points, or 0.10 percent, at 1,741.80.

Mining, precision instrument and electric appliance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.