Tokyo stocks fell Thursday, weighed down by concerns over prolonged monetary tightening in the United States, while Japan's benchmark long-term interest rate rose to a 10-year high.
The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds rose to 0.745 percent, the highest level since September 2013, tracking an increase in long-term U.S. Treasury yields, ahead of the Bank of Japan announcing on Friday the outcome of its two-day policy meeting.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 452.75 points, or 1.37 percent, from Wednesday at 32,571.03, extending its losing streak to three days. The broader Topix index finished 22.59 points, or 0.94 percent, lower at 2,383.41.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by precision instrument, mining, and electric appliance issues.
