Tokyo shares closed lower Wednesday on the yen's sharp rise following weaker-than-expected US services sector data for August.

    The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 111.74 points, or 0.65%, from Tuesday to 16,970.24. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 9.21 points, or 0.68%, to 1,343.37. 

    Decliners were led by insurance, banking and securities issues.