TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower on Friday for the sixth straight trading day, as earlier gains led by exporter issues on a weaker yen were more than offset by selling of tech shares.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 111.68 points, or 0.29 percent, from Thursday at 38,701.90.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 11.84 points, or 0.44 percent, lower at 2,701.99.
The yen fell to as low as around 157.90 against the U.S. dollar in early morning trading, hitting a five-month low. But the Japanese currency later rebounded to the upper 156 level versus the greenback after the finance minister warned the government will act "appropriately" against excessive currency movements.
Tokyo stocks were mostly in positive territory from the outset as the weaker yen boosted export-oriented auto issues, but selling of heavyweight technology shares tracking declines in their U.S. counterparts limited gains, analysts said. ■
