Tokyo stocks close lower ahead of Fed meeting, strong yen weighs

TOKYO, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Tuesday in choppy day as investors were reluctant to make bold moves ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting scheduled to start later in the day, while a firm yen hit exporters.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 151.29 points, or 0.72 percent, from Monday to close the day at 20,972.71.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 11.07 points, or 0.72 percent, to finish at 1,528.67.

Electric power and gas, mining and nonferrous metal-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.