TOKYO, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower on Thursday after the benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly topped the 60,000 line for the first time, boosted by gains in heavyweight technology shares, before retreating on overheating concerns.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 445.63 points, or 0.75 percent, from Wednesday at 59,140.23.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 28.61 points, or 0.76 percent, lower at 3,716.38.
On the top-tier Prime Market, nonferrous metal, air transportation and service issues were notable decliners.
The Nikkei index surpassed the psychologically important 60,000 mark shortly after the opening, rising to an all-time intraday high of 60,013.98, driven by artificial intelligence and semiconductor shares as investors gravitated toward companies with relatively resilient business performance ahead of the earnings season.
After topping 60,000, the Nikkei pared its gains due to program selling, as caution over overheating prompted investors to lock in profits. ■
