TOKYO, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Tuesday as investors opted to secure gains made the previous day when the Nikkei surged to a one-month high.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 89.63 points, or 0.33 percent, from Monday to close the day at 27,279.80.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, fell 9.77 points, or 0.51 percent, to finish at 1,912.67.
Local brokers said that investors were ditching shares picked up during the market's recent rally to make quick profits, but they lacked the confidence to make further bets.
"Japanese market rose on Monday following U.S. market's rally late on Friday. But, investors were not aggressive enough to make further bets today," Jun Morita, general manager of the research department at Chibagin Asset Management, was quoted as saying.
By the close of play, marine transportation, real estate and air transportation issues comprised those that declined the most, and issues that fell outpaced those that rose by 1,184 to 589 on the Prime Market, while 64 ended the day unchanged.
Some tech heavyweights weighed heavily on the market, with Tokyo Electron the biggest drag on the Nikkei falling 1.3 percent, while industrial robotics maker Fanuc closed 1 percent lower.
Shipping firms where sold for profits, with Nippon Yusen down 2.1 percent, while Mitsui O.S.K. Lines sank 3.4 percent by the close.
Bucking the downward trend, energy-oriented issues gained traction after crude oil futures climbed and Shanghai reopening meaning increased demand.
As a result, Japan Petroleum Exploration leapt 8.0 percent, while exploration giant Inpex jumped 6.2 percent to become the Nikkei's top gainer.
On the Prime Market on Tuesday, 2,288.80 million shares changed hands, rising from Monday's volume of 1,681.74 million shares.
The turnover on the second trading day of the week came to 5,508.84 billion yen (43.05 billion U.S. dollars). ■
