TOKYO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed fractionally higher Tuesday as investors continued to book profits following the market's recent string of 33-year closing highs, although trade was directionless ahead of U.S. markets opening following a national holiday.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged up 18.49 points, or 0.06 percent, from Monday to close the day at 33,388.91.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, lost 6.65 points, or 0.29 percent, to finish at 2,283.85.

Dealers here said that investors continued to offload a wide range of issues following the market's run of 33-year closing highs last week.

"Today, in the absence of any special inputs, we are likely to see some selling to lock in profits, especially in sectors and stocks that have been rising conspicuously," Maki Sawada, a strategist at Nomura Securities, was quoted as saying.

Market analysts here also said that some participants hit the sidelines to await fresh cues, as markets in the United States were closed on Monday for a national holiday.

"It will be worth watching if the market rises tomorrow after U.S. markets were closed Monday," Seiichi Suzuki, chief equity market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute, was quoted as saying.

"While larger-cap stocks that have been strong so far are experiencing more noticeable declines, there seems to be some buying interest in stocks that had been lagging behind," Suzuki said.

Insurance-related issues weighed on the market following reports that four companies have been suspected of collusion in setting fire insurance claims for corporations and have been ordered to submit related documents to Japan's Financial Services Agency.

Among these, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings fell 4.8 percent, while Tokio Marine Holdings slumped 5.1 percent.

Banking shares also came under pressure, with Mizuho Financial Group dropping 1.6 percent.

But trading houses found favor after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said Monday it had raised its holdings in five related Japanese firms.

These included Marubeni, which gained 1.9 percent, and Mitsui, which jumped 3.3 percent.

By the close of play, insurance, iron and steel, and electric power and gas issues comprised those that declined the most.

The turnover on the Prime Market on the second trading day of the week came to 3,895.27 billion yen (27.50 billion U.S. dollars). Enditem

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