Nikkei closes slightly lower, losses narrowed on hopes for U.S.-China trade talks

TOKYO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed marginally lower Thursday as a potential resumption of trade talks between China and the United States helped narrow earlier losses on concerns of heightening U.S.-Turkey tensions.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 12.18 points, or 0.05 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 22,192.04.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 10.88 points, or 0.64 percent, to finish at 1,687.15.

Oil and coal product, nonferrous metal, and chemical-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.