Japan stocks fall on jitters over global economy

Japanese shares retreated Thursday, as concerns about the global economy overshadowed any optimism over the U.S. Senate's passage of a US$700 billion bank rescue plan.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average fell 213.50 points, or 1.88 percent, to 11,154.76. The broader Topix index 2.19 percent to 1,076.97.

Tokyo stocks began the morning in positive territory as investors hunted for bargains, but quickly fell into the red on faltering sentiment.

News during the morning that the Senate had passed a revised version the bailout plan did little to lift market spirits, said Tsuyoshi Nomaguchi, a strategist at Daiwa Securities in Tokyo. The bill now …