Tokyo Stocks Take a Tumble

Tokyo stocks were down sharply at midday Friday in moderately active trading, on widespread selling due to concerns about a weaker yen and possible higher interest rates.

But stocks had rebounded from their lows after a late buying binge by new investment trust funds, traders said.

The key 225-share Nikkei index was down 744.94 points, or 2.4%, to 30,624.81 at midday, after falling 331.52 on Thursday. As of Thursday, the Nikkei had fallen for five straight sessions.