TOKYO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower Friday as gains after yesterday's falls were erased amid uncertainty over whether the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates next week, with the Nikkei benchmark extending its losing streak to eight days.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 202.10 points, or 0.53 percent, from Thursday at 37,667.41, its lowest closing since April 25, extending its losing streak to eight days for the first time since October 2021.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 10.32 points, or 0.38 percent, lower at 2,699.54.
The Nikkei briefly entered positive territory on buybacks a day after the key index logged its steepest point drop in eight years. But selling took hold late in the afternoon, weighed down by speculation the Japanese central bank could raise interest rates at its policy meeting beginning Tuesday, a move that would strengthen the yen, analysts said.
The huge falls yesterday would normally allow for a rebound today, dealers said, noting the market trend has changed since mid-July, as investors were wary of prospects of the economy.