Tokyo stocks close slightly lower on last trading day of year

TOKYO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed slightly lower Friday as initial gains made on the back of Wall Street's solid overnight lead were erased by investors opting to lock in gains on the final trading day of the year.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 19.04 points, or 0.08 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 22,764.94.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged down 1.47 points, or 0.08 percent, to finish at 1,817.56.

Food, chemical and service-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.