TOKYO -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average plummeted on Thursday as the yen strengthened to a four-month high, weighing on export-heavy sectors such as automobiles following key U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan announcements.
The average plunged 3.5%, or 1,363.94 points, to 37,737.88 at one point during Tokyo trading hours as the yen jumped to the 148 level, the highest since mid-March.
