Tokyo stocks fell 0.48 percent in the morning session of Friday, with the Nikkei stock index hitting a four-and-a-half-month low, dragged down by concerns over the global economy.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 71.41 points, from Thursday to 14,666.97, after briefly touching 14,641.01, its lowest intraday level since May 30.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 8.12 points, or 0.68 percent, at 1, 187.38.
Decliners were led by bank, rubber products and pharmaceutical issues.