Tokyo stocks plunge in morning after Iranian missile strikes

TOKYO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks tumbled Wednesday morning as investors fled to safe havens leading to a spike in the yen versus the U.S. dollar following Iran launching multiple missile attacks at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. and allied forces.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 461.08 points, or 1.96 percent, from Tuesday to 23,114.64.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 31.29 points, or 1.81 percent, at 1,693.76.

Marine transportation, precision instrument and real estate issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break. Enditem