Tokyo stocks close lower as U.S. trade policy concerns sends yen higher, hurts exporters

TOKYO, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policy moves caused the yen to rise against the U.S. dollar hurting exporter-linked issues.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 127.44 points, or 0.58 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 21,676.51.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 6.97 points, or 0.40 percent, to finish at 1,736.63.

Electric power and gas, precision instrument and electric appliance-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.