Tokyo stocks close lower as Tillerson's firing sparks concern about direction of U.S. politics

TOKYO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday, snapping a four-day winning streak on concerns of the course of U.S. Donald Trump's administration after he fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 190.81 points, or 0.87 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 21,777.29.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 7.82 points, or 0.45 percent, to finish the day at 1,743.21.

Mining, retail and machinery-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.