Tokyo stocks fall nearly 1 pct; exporters down, banks up

TOKYO, Aug 17 (Reuters) The Nikkei average extended losses on Friday, with exporters such as Advantest Corp. hit again after the U.S. Dow fell amid credit fears and the yen grew stronger, but bank shares regained ground.

The Nikkei fell 0.7 percent or 113.11 points to 16,035.38 as of 0001 GMT.

The broader TOPIX index shed 0.6 percent to 1,558.13.

On Thursday, the technology-laced Nikkei ended at its lowest since November 2006, shedding 1.99 percent to 16,148.49, after going below 16,000 during the afternoon. The TOPIX lost 1.67 percent to finish at 1,567.46, the lowest close since November.

REUTERS SZ VP0555