Tokyo stocks close 1.18% lower as yen appreciates amid currency row

TOKYO (AFP) - Tokyo shares slipped 1.18 per cent on Friday as the yen strengthened while investors awaited the start of a Group of 20 (G-20) meeting in Russia where forex markets are expected to top the agenda.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 133.45 points to 11,173.83, while the Topix index of all first-section shares was down 1.31 per cent, or 12.47 points, at 942.41.

"Caution is emerging over the yen's direction," Mr Yoshihiro Okumura, general manager of research at Chibagin Asset Management, told Dow Jones Newswires.

In afternoon currency trade, the US dollar weakened to 92.50 yen from 92.87 yen in New York on Thursday.