Nikkei sags as futures-selling deepens morning losses

TOKYO, Nov 27(Reuters) - Japanese stocks closed down on Thursday, as selling of Nikkei futures in the afternoon widened earlier losses driven by weak U.S. data and a stronger yen. The Nikkei benchmark shed 0.8 percent to close at 17,248.50. Many investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., and the trade volume was the lowest since Nov. 10. Market participants said hedge funds and securities firms took temporary short positions on Nikkei futures pos