Tokyo stocks close lower ahead of Fed policy meeting outcome

TOKYO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday, as some investors were reluctant to make bold moves ahead of the the conclusion of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy-setting meeting later in the day.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 40.61 points, or 0.18 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 21,960.71.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 7.96 points, or 0.49 percent, to finish at 1,606.62.

Mining, oil and coal product, and iron and steel-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.