Tokyo  - A rise in the yen sent stocks down in Thursday morning trading in Tokyo.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 41.78 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 10,238.68.

The broader-based Topix index was also down 5.58 points, or 0.59 per cent, at 944.23.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT) in Tokyo, the dollar traded at 92.22-23 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 92.65-66 yen.

The euro traded at 1.4271-73 dollars, up from late Wednesday's quote of 1.4212-13 dollars, and at 131.63-65 yen, down from 131.68-72 yen.

A stronger yen raises the prices of Japanese producers' products sold abroad and lowers their overseas earnings. (dpa)