Nikkei hits 3-week low on rising yen, uncertainty over monetary policy

Tokyo shares closed lower Thursday with the Nikkei index ending at a roughly three-week low, as market sentiment was dampened by a stronger yen as well as uncertainty over the U.S. and Japanese central banks' monetary policy.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 209.23 points, or 1.26 percent, from Wednesday at 16,405.01.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 13.63 points, or 1.04 percent, lower at 1,301.11, falling for the seventh consecutive day and matching its losing streak marked in April 2014.

Decliners were led by real estate, securities and transportation equipment issues.

The day's turnover was about 1,874.4 billion yen (around 18.31 billion U.S. dollars).

Source : XINHUA