Japanese shares end lower

Japanese shares ended lower Friday on the yen's appreciation that triggered selling of export-linked issues amid weak sentiments brought by declines in the overnight US market.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average declined 229.63 points, or 1.42 percent, from Thursday to 15,967.17, Xinhua reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 19.38 points, or 1.48 percent, to 1,291.82.

Decliners were led by mining, oil and coal products, and bank issues.

The day's turnover was about 2,277.5 billion yen ($20.17 billion).