Tokyo stocks lose ground in morning on yen's rise against U.S. dollar

TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Thursday morning as the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar soured the market mood and saw exporter-linked issues pressured.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged 31.31 points, or 0.14 percent, lower from Wednesday to 22,726.76.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 1.89 points, or 0.10 percent, at 1,808.95.

Bank, insurance, and information and communication-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.