Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

TOKYO, Japan - Financial Services Minister Yoshimi Watanabe rings the bell during a ceremony to mark the beginning of this year's trading at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on Jan. 4. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 616.37 points, or 4.03 percent, to close the half-day session at 14,691.41, its lowest finish since July 19, 2006.

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

TOKYO, Japan - Female officials, dressed in traditional kimono, at the Tokyo Stock Exchange and other officials, including from brokerage houses, clap their hands during a ceremony to mark the beginning of this year's trading at the TSE on Jan. 4. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 616.37 points, or 4.03 percent, to close the half-day session at 14,691.41, its lowest finish since July 19, 2006.

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

TOKYO, Japan - Financial Services Minister Yoshimi Watanabe rings the bell during a ceremony to mark the beginning of this year's trading at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on Jan. 4. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 616.37 points, or 4.03 percent, to close the half-day session at 14,691.41, its lowest finish since July 19, 2006. (Kyodo)

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

Tokyo stocks start 2008 sharply lower

TOKYO, Japan - Female officials, dressed in traditional kimono, at the Tokyo Stock Exchange and other officials, including from brokerage houses, clap their hands during a ceremony to mark the beginning of this year's trading at the TSE on Jan. 4. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 616.37 points, or 4.03 percent, to close the half-day session at 14,691.41, its lowest finish since July 19, 2006. (Kyodo)