Tokyo  - Stocks in Tokyo fell in Friday morning trading shortly before a central bank decision on interest rates after drops overnight on Wall Street.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average was down 94.95 points, or 1.1 per cent, at 8,572.28.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also declined 3.16 points, or 0.38 per cent, to 835.53.

The Bank of Japan was ending a two-day meeting Friday, after which it was expected to lower interest rates as the world's second-largest economy finds itself in recession.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 89.49-54 yen, up from Thursday's 5 pm quote of 87.91-92 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.4292-97 dollars, down from 1.4418-20 dollars late Thursday, and at 127.95-128 yen, up from 126.75-79 yen. (dpa)