This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower Thursday as investors locked in recent gains after the key Nikkei and Topix indexes recently hit their highest levels in 31 years.

       The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 188.37 points, or 0.62 percent, from Wednesday at 30,323.34. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 6.23 points, or 0.30 percent, lower at 2,090.16.

       Decliners were led by marine transportation, glass and ceramics product, and real estate issues.

       The U.S. dollar remained weak in the lower 109 yen range as a wait-and-see mood prevailed due to a lack of fresh trading cues, dealers said.

       At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 109.35-36 yen compared with 109.33-43 yen in New York and 109.43-45 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

       The euro was quoted at $1.1781-1782 and 128.83-87 yen against $1.1810-1820 and 129.18-28 yen in New York and $1.1816-1817 and 129.31-35 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.

       The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond inched up 0.010 percentage point from Wednesday's close to 0.040 percent, tracking an overnight rise in long-term Treasury yields.

       Stocks were initially higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, but they fell into negative territory and extended their losses throughout the day, weighed down also by a decline in their Asian counterparts, brokers said.

       "There was a sense of achievement after the market hit its highest level in 31 years earlier this week, and stocks were pushed down by investors who continued to lock in gains amid heightening concerns about overheating in the market," said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Co.

       However, the upcoming ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race, slated for Sept. 29, supported sentiment as market participants have high expectations over new potential COVID-19 measures and a stimulus package, he added.

       The presidential election will effectively decide Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's successor, with official campaigning to start on Friday.

       On the First Section, declining issues outnumbered advancers 1,186 to 892, while 110 ended unchanged.

       Department stores bucked the market's downward trend as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continued to decline and the vaccination rate steadily rises, brokers said.

       Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings rose 8 yen, or 1.0 percent, to 816 yen, while Takashimaya advanced 12 yen, or 1.0 percent, to 1,165 yen.

       Energy-related shares tracked gains in their U.S. peers following an overnight rise in crude oil futures. Eneos Holdings gained 7.8 yen, or 1.7 percent, to 465.0 yen, and Inpex was up 15 yen, or 1.9 percent, to 789 yen.

       Meanwhile, Tokyo Electron slumped 1,720 yen, or 3.0 percent, to 54,750 yen, as investors locked in gains after shares of the firm risen over 20 percent in the past three weeks.

       Trading volume on the main section rose to 1,261.50 million shares from Wednesday's 1,205.72 million shares.

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