Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end Wednesday trading as the market sentiment was dampened by concerns over the US and European financial sectors.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 164.15 points, or 2.04 per cent, to close at 7,901.64.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was down 17.88 points, or 2.22 per cent, to 787.15.
On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar traded at 90.00-05 yen, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 90.41-43 yen.