Tokyo stocks drop on Japan's weak economic data

Tokyo stocks continued to drop Thursday, with investor sentiment impaired by Japan's weaker-than-expected machinery orders data announced just before the opening bell and the yen's slight appreciation against the US dollar.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 86.18 points, or 0.56%, from Wednesday at 15,216.47, according to Japan's (Kyodo) News Agency.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 11.57 points, or 0.91%, lower at 1,259.25.
Major decliners included marine transport and machinery shares, as well as pulp and paper issues.