Tokyo stocks ended 0.18 percent lower in the morning session of Tuesday as investors moved to take profits after recent gains.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 35.80 points, from Monday to 19,718.56. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 7.20 points, or 0.45 percent, to 1,585.05.
Major decliners included shipping, insurance and banking issues.