TOKYO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed lower on Friday, following notable declines in the U.S. stock market.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average went down 99.74 points, or 0.26 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 38,707.64.
Market watchers here noted that tech heavyweights were sold amid a cautious mood before the Bank of Japan's policy meeting here in Tokyo, following declines in the three major U.S. indices as expectations of a delayed interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve emerged.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 9.21 points, or 0.35 percent, higher at 2,670.80.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by mining and oil and coal product issues, while top decliners were marine transportation and bank issues.
Issues that advanced outnumbered those that declined by 977 to 632, while 47 ended the day unchanged. ■
