The Nikkei index ended at a one-week low Wednesday as investors let off steam from an overheated market following declines in Wall Street shares the previous day.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 111.56 points, or 0.59%, from Tuesday at 18,703.60, according to (Kyodo) news agency.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 9.82 points, or 0.64%, lower at 1,517.01.
Market players took profits from the Nikkei's 8.5% gain over the past month. The index edged down Tuesday, but still closed near the highest level in 15 years.