Tokyo stocks end lower

Tokyo’s key stock index closed higher Thursday, tracking a rally on Wall Street but gains were limited with investors cautious over a strengthening yen, AFP reported.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index added 0.20 percent, or 55.17 points, to 27,402.05, while the broader Topix index lost 0.36 percent, or 7.06 points, to 1,965.17.
The dollar fetched 128.62 yen, against 128.90 yen in New York.
The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point increase in borrowing costs Wednesday, after a series of larger increases through much of last year.
Analysts noted that bank boss Jerome Powell avoided criticising recent movements in financial markets, which have anticipated a softer stance from monetary policymakers.
Tokyo opened stronger as investors took heart from Powell’s comments.
But the market lost momentum as “the yen’s shift toward appreciation spooked investors, pouring cold water on some shares related to exporters”, IwaiCosmo Securities said in a note.
Toyota slid 1.18 percent to 1,880 yen.
Among other major firms, SoftBank Group added 1.02 percent to 6,318 yen, Sony Group rose 0.17 percent to 11,490 yen and Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing jumped 2.52 percent to 79,960 yen.