TOKYO, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Nikkei plunged over 3 percent Friday to close below the 9,100 level for the first time in over four months, as the yen's rapid rise against the U.S. dollar and euro hurt Japanese exporters.

    The benchmark Nikkei index closed down 301.72 points, or 3.22 percent, from Thursday to 9,081.52, its lowest close since July 13.

    The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 18.55 points, or 2.24 percent, to 811.01, its lowest since April 1.

    Trade volume on the main section was active, coming to 2,256.73 million shares, up from Thursday's 1,946.81 million.

    The TSE's Second Section index was down 24.30 points, or 1.22 percent, to 1,962.19 on a volume of 33.98 million shares. On the Osaka Securities Exchange, the near-term December Nikkei 225 index futures contract was down 320 points to 9,070.

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis