Tokyo  - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell more than 3 per cent Friday due to sluggish economic data and corporate earnings reports by major Japanese companies.

The Nikkei index plunged 276.19 points, or 3.35 per cent, to 7,975.05, and the broader Topix index of all first section issues was also down 24.44 points, or 2.99 per cent, to
794.03.

Japan's industrial production plunged an unprecedented 9.6 per cent in December and unemployment rose, as the widening global recession cut export demands, a government report said Friday.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 89.91-96 yen, down from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 90.22-23 yen.

The euro traded at 1.2935-40 dollars, down from late Thursday's quote of 1.3080-82 dollars, and at 116.30-35 yen, down from 118.01-05 yen. (dpa)