Tokyo stocks close lower on profit-taking, yen's rise

TOKYO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index snapping its three-day winning streak as investors opted for profits amid a lack of fresh trading cues, while the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar hurt exporters.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 218.95 points, or 0.91 percent, from Monday to close the day at 23,864.56.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 9.19 points, or 0.53 percent, to finish at 1,734.97.

Air transportation, iron and steel, and chemical-related issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.