Photo: VCG

TOKYO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday as investors opted to take profits following the Nikkei's 14-month closing high the previous day, with some hitting the sidelines ahead of the outcome of the Bank of Japan's policy meeting on Thursday.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 131.69 points, or 0.55 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 23,934.43.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 8.80 points, or 0.50 percent, to finish at 1,738.40.

Marine transportation, machinery and pharmaceutical-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.