Tokyo - The Tokyo stock market extended its losing streak to end Thursday trading lower as the market sentiment was dampened due to persistent worries over the US economy and the yen trading stronger against other currencies.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average tumbled 456.87 points, or 5.25 per cent, to close at 8,238.64, a two-week low.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 37.7 points, or 4.31 per cent, to 837.53.

Exporters were hurt by the stronger yen as it shaves off Japanese firms' earnings overseas.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar traded at 95.63-68 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 97.94-97 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.2462-67 dollars, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 1.2603-06 dollars, and at 119.19-24 yen, down from 123.46-50 yen. (dpa)