Tokyo stocks ended mixed on Tuesday as an initial rise led by technology buying was erased, with caution prevailing ahead of major economic events in Japan and the United States scheduled for later this week.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 51.90 points, or 0.16 percent, from Monday at 32,843.70. The broader Topix index finished 5.39 points, or 0.23 percent, lower at 2,353.16.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by electric appliance and nonferrous metal issues, while electric power and gas and bank issues led decliners.

The U.S. dollar retreated to the lower 145 yen range in Tokyo on selling by Japanese exporters and unloading for position adjustments ahead of the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting on Wednesday, dealers said.

On the stock market, the Nikkei initially shot up into the 33,000 zone on buying led by technology shares after the U.S. Dow Jones index climbed to a nearly two-year high and a major U.S. semiconductor index saw a sharp gain.

But the Nikkei's return to above the threshold served as a cue for participants to consolidate their positions ahead of U.S. inflation data later Tuesday and Japan's quarterly Tankan business sentiment survey on Wednesday, analysts said.

Investors were also wary before the outcome of the Fed policy meeting, with a focus on any hints about when the U.S. central bank will start reducing interest rates next year and how many times rate cuts could take place, analysts said.

"Market participants appeared to be too optimistic" as they expect the Fed to cut rates five times next year, said Toshikazu Horiuchi, equity strategist at IwaiCosmo Securities Co., "but such a view could be revised" after the Fed meeting.

Supporting the Nikkei's upside were semiconductor-related shares, with chip-manufacturing equipment maker Screen Holdings gaining 340 yen, or 3.1 percent, to 11,455 yen, and Tokyo Electron advancing 340 yen, or 1.5 percent, to 23,345 yen.

Retailers also drew buying, with Muji retail stores operator Ryohin Keikaku climbing 121.5 yen, or 5.4 percent, to 2,353.0 yen, after reporting its sales in November expanded from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, bank issues were sold after a news report Monday saying BOJ officials are in no hurry to end the bank's negative interest policy at its December meeting disappointed investors, who expected a policy change that would lead to higher bond yields and improved profits for lenders.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group slumped 20.5 yen, or 1.6 percent, to 1,260.0 yen, while Mizuho Financial Group was down 35.0 yen, or 1.4 percent, to 2,471.0 yen.

==Kyodo

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