Tokyo stocks ended mixed Friday as solid gains in semiconductor-related shares and some blue chips such as Toyota Motor Corp. were offset by investors locking gains from the recent market surge.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 42.86 points, or 0.14 percent, from Wednesday at 29,520.07. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 3.06 points, or 0.16 percent, higher at 1,933.88. Financial markets in Japan were closed Thursday for a national holiday.

Decliners were led by marine transportation and glass and ceramic product issues, while semiconductor, metal product and securities house issues led gainers.

The U.S. dollar edged up to the upper 104 yen zone as traders took their cue from recent rises in U.S. long-term interest rates, dealers said.

Buying interest in blue-chip stocks remained solid, but caution over chasing the upside was also strong following the Nikkei index's nearly 7 percent advance so far this month.

"The Nikkei's decline reflects reasonable profit-taking following a sharp rise even in this week," said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co.

Foreign investors, a major buyer in the recent market upturn, continued to focus their buying on chips and major Japanese firms.

"Foreign investors who were net sellers late last month are apparently buying Japanese big names, such as Toyota and Nintendo, on growing hopes for a larger and sooner-than-expected U.S. coronavirus stimulus," Fujito said.

Foreigners account for about 70 percent of the trading value of the First Section of the Tokyo stock market.

On the First Section, declining issues outnumbered advancers 1,107 to 1,004, while 82 ended unchanged.

Major shippers were lower after their recent gains, with Nippon Yusen dropping 138 yen, or 4.7 percent, to 2,796 yen, Kawasaki Kisen sagging 86 yen, or 4.5 percent, to 1,846 yen and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines falling 144 yen, or 4.7 percent, to 2,941 yen.

Among blue chips, Toyota Motor climbed 283 yen, or 3.5 percent, to 8,413 yen, Nintendo gained 1,990 yen, or 3.1 percent, to 66,340 yen and Nidec advanced 330 yen, or 2.3 percent, to 14,800 yen.

Semiconductor-related firms were also higher following solid gains in their U.S. peers on a comment by the White House press secretary that President Joe Biden's administration aims to address the recent global chip shortage problem, brokers said.

Tokyo Electron grew 1,520 yen, or 3.7 percent, to 42,990 yen, and Screen Holdings advanced 330 yen, or 3.9 percent, to 8,710 yen.

Trading volume on the main section rose to 1,343.98 million shares from Wednesday's 1,324.35 million shares.

==Kyodo

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