Tokyo stocks close lower as firm yen weighs on exporter issues

TOKYO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Thursday as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar dented exporter issues amid concern the Bank of Japan may taper its monetary stimulus program.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 77.77 points, or 0.33 percent, from Wednesday to end the day at 23,710.43.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 4.02 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 1,888.09.

Food, transportation equipment and precision instrument-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.