2ND LD: Tokyo stocks plunge on growing pessimism over U.S., Japan outlook+

TOKYO, Aug. 1_(Kyodo) _ (EDS: ADDING DETAILS AND PRICES) Tokyo stocks closed over 2 percent lower Friday as some investors grew increasingly pessimistic about the future course of the U.S. economy and Japan's business outlook, while others opted to remain on the sidelines before the U.S. July jobs report due out later in the day. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 282.22 points, or 2.11 percent, from Thursday to 13,094.59. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 30.69 points, or 2.35 percent, to 1,272.93. A wide range of issues came under heavy selling pressure, such as mining and consumer finance issues. Only three sectors saw gains, including pulp and paper issues. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Cabinet reshuffle to be carried out later in the day, meanwhile, did... [read full story]