Tokyo stocks fall on caution ahead of US-Japan talks

Tokyo stocks closed lower on Wednesday as investors sold off positions ahead of the upcoming Japan-U.S. finance ministers' meeting.

A stronger yen, which briefly rose to the mid-143 range against the U.S. dollar, added downward pressure.

The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed at 37,298.98, down 230.51 points, or 0.61 percent, from the previous trading day.

Market participants were cautious amid speculation that the United States might call for corrective measures against the weak yen. As the yen strengthened further in the afternoon, selling intensified in Nikkei futures, widening the index's decline.

The broader TOPIX index also declined, ending 5.95 points lower, or 0.22 percent, at 2,732.88.

Of the listed stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, declining stocks numbered 816, while 747 rose and 69 remained flat.