TOKYO, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower on Wednesday, tracking declines in U.S. technology shares as investors took profits from recent gains in artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, fell 657.74 points, or 1.51 percent, from the previous day to close at 42,888.55.
Selling was sparked by overnight losses in U.S. tech shares, including a steep fall in semiconductor giant Nvidia. In Tokyo, major chip-related stocks such as Advantest and Tokyo Electron retreated, while SoftBank Group plunged.
Game makers like Nintendo and Konami Holdings also weakened.
By contrast, some domestic demand-related shares, including food and transport firms, attracted buying interest, while Toyota, Mitsubishi UFJ, Kyocera, Honda, and Oriental Land provided support.
The broader Topix index fell 17.72 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at 3,098.91.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, declining issues numbered 846, against 708 gainers and 66 unchanged. ■
