TOKYO: Japanese shares ended in negative territory on Monday, giving up earlier gains that pushed the benchmark index above the 10,000 level as the yen's weakening trend eased.
The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange closed down 0.40 percent, or 39.88 points, at 9,889.86. The index had opened above 10,000 thanks to a positive US jobs report and Greece striking a private debt deal that helped the country qualify for a much-needed bailout.
The Topix index of all first-section issues lost 0.40 percent, or 3.43 points, to 845.28.
In earlier trade, Tokyo shares extended Friday's gains after better-than-expected US non-farm payrolls data pushed the dollar above 82.00 yen, while strong Japanese private-sector machinery orders also boosted the bourse.
But the Nikkei hit strong resistance at 10,000, as the yen's weakening against other major currencies lost steam, Fumiyuki Nakanishi, general manager of investment and research at SMBC Friend Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires.
"The 10,000 wall is firm," Nakanishi said.
"It'll take some time to break the key resistance, although I don't think the index is going to trend lower." Market players were now keeping an eye on policy meetings by the Bank of Japan, which began Monday, and the US Federal Open Market Committee on Tuesday, he said.
The dollar traded at 82.31 yen in Asian afternoon trade, edging down from 82.44 yen in late trade Friday in New York.
The euro bought $1.3089 and 107.72 yen, compared with $1.3120 and 108.19 yen in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.11 percent on Friday to finish last week at 12,922.02.
Sony shares fell 0.17 percent to 1,715 yen, while Tokyo Electron closed 0.44 percent higher at 4,495 yen.
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