TOKYO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower on Friday, as investors remained cautious after the Japanese central bank kept its ultraloose monetary policy unchanged.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, extended its losing streak to four days by declining 168.62 points, or 0.52 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 32,402.41.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 7.14 points, or 0.30 percent, lower at 2,376.27.
Stocks were mostly in negative territory, with the Nikkei index briefly sinking over 400 points in the morning before the Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced the outcome of its two-day meeting, but they trimmed losses in the afternoon.
Market watchers here suggested that the BOJ's decision to stick to its current ultraloose policy measures eased concern among some investors who had expected a slight tightening in the bank's stance.
On the Prime Market, decliners were led by marine transportation, electric power and gas, and nonferrous metal issues.
Issues that fell outpaced those that rose by 924 to 839, while 73 ended the day unchanged. ■