Tokyo stocks close lower as firm yen weighs on exporters

TOKYO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Thursday with the Nikkei ending at a two-week low as the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar triggered selling which erased earlier market gains.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 127.23 points, or 0.56 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 22,783.98, marking its lowest close since Dec. 15.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, ended the day 10.76 points, or 0.59 percent, lower at 1,819.03.

Bank, securities and transportation equipment-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.