Tokyo stocks end lower amid uncertainty over Middle East conflict

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended slightly lower Friday, as many investors refrained from buying amid uncertainty over the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed down 85.11 points, or 0.22 percent, from Thursday at 38,403.23. The broader Topix index finished 20.82 points, or 0.75 percent, lower at 2,771.26.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by insurance, mining and farm and fishery issues.
The U.S. dollar moved little amid a lack of fresh trading cues in Tokyo after falling to the lower 145 yen range on selling following its three-week high in the upper 145 yen level overnight.
The Nikkei stock index was directionless amid uncertainty over whether Israel and Iran will seek a diplomatic solution, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying he will decide within two weeks whether to strike Iran, brokers said.
"Investors were finding it difficult to tilt their positions to either buy or sell as it is unclear whether the situation in the Middle East will peak or deteriorate due to actions to be taken by the United States," said Maki Sawada, a strategist at the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.
The ongoing Middle East conflict could have a negative influence on U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, with Japan's chief negotiator pointing to the possibility of Washington becoming unable to devote time to holding talks with Tokyo, some brokers said.
"I personally feel that the tariff negotiations may not go well" and prompt stocks to start falling, said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank.

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