TOKYO, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average hit a 15-month closing low below 9,000 points on Tuesday, with hedge funds and foreigners selling amid mounting concern about the authorities' inaction on a strong yen, which threatens a fragile economic recovery.
Market players said a close below the keenly-watched 9,000 level would likely feed downward momentum, with few technical targets to break the benchmark's fall.
The Nikkei lost 1.3 percent or 121.55 points to 8,995.15, its lowest close since May 2009. The broader Topix shed 0.9 percent to 817.73. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)