Tokyo: Japanese stock indexes closed lower today, pressured by profit-taking on the final trading day of August following this month's gains, as well as by a stronger yen and weak economic data. The Nikkei index fell 0.26 percent to finish at 42,718.47 points, trimming its weekly gain to 0.2 percent.

According to Qatar News Agency, for the month of August, the Nikkei rose more than 4 percent. On August 19, it had reached a record high of 43,876.42 points. The broader Topix index dropped 0.47 percent to 3,075.18 points, posting a weekly decline of 0.83 percent, though it recorded a monthly increase of 4.49 percent, also hitting an all-time high during the month.

Shares of automakers fell as the yen strengthened overnight against the dollar, reducing the value of overseas earnings for these companies. Toyota shares dropped 1.58 percent and Honda fell 1.29 percent. Chip-related stocks closed with limited losses after rebounding from a sharper drop earlier in the session. Tokyo Electron ended down 0.41 percent, while Sony slid 1.45 percent and Nintendo fell 0.89 percent.

Out of the 225 stocks listed on the Nikkei, 152 declined, 68 rose, and 5 were unchanged.