TOKYO, July 19, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Tokyo stocks closed lower Monday as growing
Covid-19 infections in Asia, including Japan, weighed on the market, with
trading cut to three business days this week due to Olympics-linked holidays.

   The benchmark Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.25 percent, or 350.34 points, to
27,652.74, closing down for a fourth straight session.

   The broader Topix index lost 1.30 percent, or 25.06 points, to 1,907.13.

   Tokyo shares opened lower after Wall Street shares declined last week, on
rekindled worries about rising coronavirus cases.

   "Although it's not new, growing infections in Asia and Japan are dampening
market sentiment," Shinichi Yamamoto, a broker at Okasan Securities, told
AFP.

   "Investors are also concerned about daily infections at the Olympic
Village."

   Thin trade was expected in Tokyo ahead of a four-day weekend in Japan from
Thursday. The Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to open from Friday and will run
until August 8.

   Tens of thousands of athletes, officials and journalists are gathering in
the Japanese capital for the Games, which will be held mostly behind closed
doors.

   Many Tokyo investors were expected to sit on their hands for the time
being as they wait for more economic news and corporate earnings
announcements slated for next week.

   The dollar was at 109.93 yen in Asia afternoon trade, from 110.04 yen seen
Friday in New York.

   In Tokyo, Toyota lost 1.27 percent to 9,740 yen after news reports said
the carmaker scrapped plans to air TV commercials related to the Tokyo
Olympics in Japan. A company spokesperson said there had never been a plan
for Olympic commercials.

   Sony dropped 2.01 percent to 10,930 yen with Nintendo down 1.93 percent at
61,290 yen.

   Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing fell 1.10 percent to 76,660 yen with
SoftBank Group down 1.85 percent at 7,342 yen.

   Advertising giant Dentsu, which is heavily involved in organising the
Tokyo Olympics, plunged 2.72 percent to 3,920 yen.