This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Oct. 2, 2020. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks were lower Friday morning, dragged down by automobile-related shares a day after Toyota Motor said it would slash global production, while record-high COVID-19 infections and serious cases in Japan further weighed on the market.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 184.52 points, or 0.68 percent, from Thursday to 27,096.65. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 7.58 points, or 0.40 percent, at 1,889.61.

       Decliners were led by marine transportation, transportation equipment, and nonferrous metal issues.

       The U.S. dollar held in the upper 109 yen range as investors bought the perceived safe-haven yen amid a resurgence of coronavirus cases across the globe, dealers said.

       At noon, the dollar fetched 109.71-72 yen compared with 109.71-81 yen in New York and 109.77-79 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

       The euro was quoted at $1.1680-1680 and 128.13-20 yen against $1.1672-1682 and 128.13-23 yen in New York and $1.1682-1684 and 128.24-28 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

       The Nikkei index was mostly in negative territory throughout the morning, briefly falling below its lowest closing level of 2021.

       "The market was unable to fully digest the news about Toyota Motor yesterday, with the aftereffects of the plans hurting a broad range of automaker related shares," said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Co., adding a drop in Asian shares also weighed on sentiment.

       Toyota Motor said Thursday it would cut global production by some 40 percent in September compared to its initial plan, due to a semiconductor shortage and the spread of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia.

       Fears over reports of record-high COVID-19 cases also dragged the market down, with investors concerned about the limited effects the expanded coronavirus state of emergency may have on curbing new infections, he added.

       The nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases in Japan topped a record 25,000 Thursday, while those suffering from serious cases rose to a new high for the seventh straight day.

       On the First Section, declining issues outnumbered advancers 1,199 to 867, while 120 ended the morning unchanged.

       Toyota Motor continued its decline from the day before, falling 190 yen, or 2.0 percent, to 9,105 yen. Its suppliers Denso plunged 523 yen, or 7.1 percent, to 6,849 yen, and Aisin fell 220 yen, or 5.3 percent, to 3,945 yen.

       Mizuho Financial Group dropped 9.0 yen, or 0.6 percent, to 1,557.0 yen, after reports of a system failure that prevented branch counters across Japan from conducting transactions. The major bank experienced an ATM outage and other issues earlier this year.

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