Tokyo  - Japanese stocks fell in Monday morning trading due to a strengthening of the yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 241.99 points, or 2.36 per cent, to stand at 10,023.99.

The broader-based Topix index also fell 20.95 points, or 2.27 per cent, to 901.72.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 88.72-74 yen, down from 90.59-61 yen in late trading Friday.

The euro traded at 1.4707-10 dollars, up from 1.4684-85 dollars, and at 130.48-53 yen, down from 133.03-07 yen.  dpa