Tokyo: Nikkei closes down more than 1.4% after reports Japan PM to resign

[TOKYO] Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index reversed earlier gains and closed down more than 1.4 per cent Friday after reports said Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe was to resign for health reasons.

The Nikkei 225 index fell 1.41 per cent or 326.21 points to 22,882.65 after local media reported Mr Abe was set to quit, hours before he was due to speak at a news conference.

The broader Topix index lost 0.68 per cent or 11.02 points to 1,604.87.

AFP