Tokyo stocks close sharply lower as investors secure profits after winning streak

TOKYO, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed sharply lower Tuesday as investors moved to secure recent gains following the benchmark Nikkei stock index's seven straight day winning streak.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 538.71 points, or 2.39 percent, from Monday to close the day at 22,036.05.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 39.85 points, or 2.36 percent, to finish at 1,649.20.

All industry categories in the main section retreated into negative territory, with marine transportation, oil and coal product, and construction-linked issues comprising those that declined the most.