Tokyo stocks close lower as investors opt for profits

TOKYO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Friday as investors opted to secure recent gains following the Nikkei's 30-year closing high and hit the sidelines ahead of keenly awaited earnings reports due next week.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 125.41 points, or 0.44 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 28,631.45.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 4.00 points, or 0.21 percent, to finish at 1,856.64.

Mining, iron and steel, and insurance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.