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.

Indian stock market belled the day negatively after falling 2.45% during its last closure tracking depressing signs from worldwide shores sparked by fresh worries that the global banking crisis may be far from over.

The 30-share index, BSE Sensex, today (Wednesday, Jan 21) opened at 8,900 after losing 199.77 points.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end Wednesday morning trading as the market sentiment was dampened by concerns over the US and European financial sectors.

The Nikkei index lost 155.94 points, or 1.93 per cent, to 7,909.85.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was down 15.23 points, or 1.89 per cent, to 789.8.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 89.77-82 yen, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 90.41-43 yen.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Aver

Seoul - Shares fell 2.1 per cent