TOKYO, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed Friday, as uncertainties over the conflict in the Middle East led to a pause in buying momentum.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 196.57 points, or 0.28 percent, from Thursday at 71,250.06.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 23.22 points, or 0.57 percent, lower at 4,044.96, the first drop in three sessions.
Shares opened strongly, with the Nikkei stock index hitting a fresh intraday high near the 72,000 line, tracking overnight advances on Wall Street led by semiconductor-related issues.
The stocks came under pressure later in the day as uncertainty remains over the course of peace talks between the United States and Iran, which prompted crude oil futures to rise, analysts said.
Meanwhile, the Japanese yen weakened to the upper 161 zone against the U.S. dollar on Friday, nearing its lowest level in more than 39 years, with the market showing little reaction to Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama's warning of "decisive" action if there are speculative moves in the currency market. ■
