Nikkei ends 4% lower on firmer yen

Tokyo stocks ended sharply lower Wednesday with the Nikkei index shrinking 4 percent to end below the 14,000 line on the yen's sharp gain and renewed concern about an early end to the U.S. Federal Reserve's stimulus program. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average sharply plunged 576.12 points, or 4.00 percent, from Tuesday at 13,824.94. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 38.40 points, or 3.22 percent, at 1, 155.26. All 33 sectors declined led by real estate, warehouse and precision machinery makers. The turnover was about 2,130.0 billion yen (about 21.88 billion U.S. dollars).