TOKYO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Friday morning as investor sentiment was dented by the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar and a data falsification scandal involving Mitsubishi Materials Corp.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 77.02 points, or 0.34 percent, from Wednesday to 22,446.13.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 3.54 points, or 0.20 percent, to 1,773.54.
Brokers noted the U.S. dollar dropping to a two-month low versus the yen as median market forecasts are now for the U.S. Federal Reserve to hike interests rates at a slower pace than previously thought, weighed on exporters reliant on a weak yen.
They also said that sentiment was soured by concerns following another data fabrication scandal in Japan, this time involving Mitsubishi Materials' subsidiaries.
Nonferrous metal, marine transportation and transportation equipment-related stocks comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.
