Tokyo stocks close sharply lower on weak U.S. jobs data, yen's rise

TOKYO, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended sharply lower Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index closing at a three-week low, as sentiment was dented by worse-than-expected U.S. employment data coupled with a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 436.87 points, or 2.01 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 21,341.74.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 27.42 points, or 1.72 percent, lower to end at 1,568.87.

All industry categories closed in negative territory, with mining, farm and fishery, and transportation equipment-liked issues comprising those that declined the most by the close of play.