Japanese stocks closed lower on Thursday as despite a comparatively firm yen underpinning the the market, concerns about Europe's terror situation, coupled with a slump in oil prices dragging Wall Street lower overnight, led to investor sentiment being dashed.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average relinquished 108.65 points, or 0.64 percent, from Wednesday to end the day at 16,892.33, Xinhua news agency reported.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, finished 9.59 points, or 0.70 percent lower to close at 1,354.61.
Notable decliners at the close of play comprised mining, marine transport and banking shares, with the day's turnover being 2,100. 2 billion yen ($18.63 billion).