TOKYO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower on Tuesday as cautious investors took profit-taking moves, while the strong yen dragged down the stock prices of exporters.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 33.89 points, or 0.1 percent, from Monday to close the day at 33,354.14.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 4.81 points, or 0.2 percent, lower at 2,367.79.
Market watchers here noted that profit-taking selling gradually prevailed again in Tokyo on Tuesday after the Nikkei index saw a 33-year high on the previous trading day, although market sentiment was supported by overnight gains in the U.S. stock market.
Export-related issues saw losses as a firm yen continued to weigh on the prospect of their export profits.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by transportation equipment, wholesale trade and securities issues.
Issues that rose outpaced those that fell by 987 to 622, while 50 ended the day unchanged. ■
