TOKYO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower Wednesday for the fourth straight trading day, amid caution before the outcome of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 282.97 points, or 0.72 percent, from Tuesday at 39,081.71.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 8.33 points, or 0.31 percent, lower at 2,719.87.
On the stock market, investors took a wait-and-see approach ahead of the outcome of the Fed's policy meeting on Wednesday, with the market focusing on the central bank's pace of expected interest rate cuts, analysts said.
Meanwhile, automakers were widely bought after reports of potential merger talks between two Japanese carmakers Honda Motor and Nissan Motor. ■
