Japanese stocks plunged Friday as export-oriented shares declined on a stronger yen, dpa reported. The yen rose as US President Barack Obama proposed to regulate and reduce risk-taking by banks, plans that sent US stocks down overnight. Shares in Toyota Motor Corp also plummeted after the world's largest automaker announced in the United States that it would recall 2.3 million vehicles over potentially defective accelerator pedals. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 277.86 points, or 2.56 per cent, to close at 10,590.55 while the broader Topix index was down 15.09 points, or 1.58 per cent, to end the day at 940.94. For the week, the Nikkei was down 3.57 per cent and the Topix dropped 2.63 per cent.
