TOKYO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower on Thursday as investors took actions to lock in gains after securing their dividend earnings.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 594.66 points, or 1.46 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 40,168.07.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 48.47 points, or 1.73 percent, lower at 2,750.81.
Market watchers here pointed out that market data showed ex-dividend at the end of March depressed the Nikkei stock index by 264.74 points, and the yen's slight appreciation against the dollar weighed on the market, especially export-related shares.
On the Prime Market, decliners were led by pulp and paper, land transportation, as well as iron and steel shares.
Issues that declined outpaced those that advanced by 1,362 to 224, while 24 ended the day unchanged. ■
