TOKYO, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Japan's benchmark Nikkei
share average opened down 1.79% at 39,117.83 on Monday,
following a sharp strengthening of the yen at the end of last
week with perceived-monetary-policy hawk Shigeru Ishiba set to
become prime minister.
The broader Topix shed 1.60% at 2,696.98.
The yen surged about 1.9% on Friday and then reached the
highest since Sept. 20 at 142.04 per dollar in early
trading on Monday. It had retreated about 0.36% to 142.73 per
dollar as of 0008 GMT.