Photo: VCG

TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Friday as investors took to profit-taking, with the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar denting sentiment and sending exporter issues lower.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 48.22 points, or 0.20 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 23,816.63.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 3.04 points, or 0.18 percent, to finish at 1,733.07.

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