TOKYO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower on Friday amid a cautious mood ahead of this weekend's House of Councillors election.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 82.08 points, or 0.21 percent, from Thursday at 39,819.11.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 5.33 points, or 0.19 percent, lower at 2,834.48.
Stocks initially tracked overnight Wall Street advances, but rises were later erased by selling to lock in gains after the key Nikkei index topped the 40,000 threshold at one point for the first time in two weeks, analysts said.
Meanwhile, caution prevailed ahead of the House of Councillors election on Sunday, with polls showing the ruling coalition facing an uphill battle. ■
