Tokyo stocks end lower amid caution before election

TOKYO, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) — Tokyo stocks closed lower on Monday, as investors locked in gains amid caution ahead of the upcoming general election in Japan.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 27.15 points, or 0.07 percent, from Friday at 38,954.60.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 9.07 points, or 0.34 percent, lower at 2,679.91.
The stock market was mostly directionless throughout the day as a wait-and-see mood weighed ahead of the House of Representatives election later this week.
Market watchers here noted that uncertainty about the outcome of Japan’s general election on Sunday has grown after recent polls and media reports suggested that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party could lose its majority in the powerful lower chamber. ■