Photo: VCG

TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Friday morning as investors moved to sell to secure recent gains, while the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar dented sentiment and send exporters lower.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 59.92 points, or 0.25 percent, from Thursday to 23,804.93.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 5.55 points, or 0.32 percent, at 1,730.56.

Electric appliance, transportation equipment, and electric power and gas-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.