Tokyo stocks lose ground in morning as firm yen sends exporters lower, investors take profits

TOKYO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Wednesday morning as a firm yen against the U.S. dollar weighed on exporters and the broader market, prompting investors to opt to secure profits.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 103.10 points, or 0.43 percent, from Tuesday to 23,848.71.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 4.17 points, or 0.22 percent, at 1,890.08.

Oil and coal product, marine transportation, and iron and steel-linked issues led those that declined the most by the morning break.