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

TOKYO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Thursday as the benchmark Nikkei stock index's recent run of closing highs saw investors opt to secure gains with a firm yen also spurring profit-taking while exporters took a hit.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 263.26 points, or 1.29 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 20,163.80.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 13.10 points, or 0.85 percent, to finish at 1,522.01.

Oil and coal product, chemical, and precision instrument-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.