Nikkei ends below 15,000

TOKYO, Japan - An electronic signboard in Tokyo's Yaesu district shows the Nikkei Stock Average (top L) on Jan. 28, 2014. The key stock index ended down 25.57 points, or 0.17 percent, from the previous day at 14,980.16, finishing below 15,000 for the first time since mid-November.