TOKYO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks edged lower Thursday as investor sentiment was soured by the U.S. Federal Reserve's minutes revealing a dovish stanch on its next rate hike, while a comparatively firm yen versus the U.S. dollar added to a bearish mood.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 8.41 points, or 0.04 percent, from Wednesday to close at 19,371.46.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged down 0.84 points, or 0.05 percent, to end the day at 1,556.25.
Notable issues that retreated by the close of play comprised securities, nonferrous metal, and iron and steel-linked shares.
The day's turnover was 2,004 billion yen (17.71 billion U.S. dollars).
