Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

LATE profit-taking cancelled out initial gains, and the Nikkei 225 closed 9.73 points lower at 17,188.82, almost 200 points off the day's best levels.

The yen's recent weakness and hopes of economic upturn at first encouraged demand for export-based companies from overseas investors, and smaller company shares held on to some gains. Hitachi closed 19 yen up at a new peak for the year of 1,010, but Toyota, Honda and Nissan ended slightly down. Property fell back.