Japanese stocks end lower in choppy trade

Japanese stocks ended lower in choppy trade on Friday as investors locked in profits ahead of the weekend, while mining shares and financial firms underperformed the market.

The Nikkei closed 0.2 per cent down at 23,631.88, after oscillating in and out of positive terrain in early trade. For the week, the Nikkei declined 0.7 per cent.

Inpex Corp lost 1.9 per cent, while Japan Petroleum Exploration declining 2.1 per cent.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group closed 1.5 per cent lower, Dai-ichi Life Holdings ended 1.6 per cent down and Nomura Holdings closed down 1.0 per cent.

However, Fujitsu Ltd ended 1.2 per cent higher.

The broader Topix slid 0.3 per cent to 1,879.39.