(Updates with closing levels)
By Brigid Riley
TOKYO, March 25 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average
closed lower on Monday on profit-taking following last week's
central bank decisions, snapping a four-day winning streak.
The Nikkei closed 1.16% lower at 40,414.12, with
only 30 of the index's 225 constituents advancing against 192
decliners.
The index crossed the 41,000 level for the first time ever
on Friday and had notched a record closing high of 40,888.43.
The broader Topix was down 1.26% at 2,777.64 on
Monday.
The day's market moves reflect a momentary lull after rising
as much as it has and technical factors are likely to weigh on
the index this week, said Hiroshi Namioka, chief strategist at
T&D Asset Management.
Losses were widespread, with many of the Nikkei's
heavyweight constituents declining.
Chipmaking equipment giant Tokyo Electron ( TOELF ) fell
1.6%, Uniqlo parent firm Fast Retailing ( FRCOF ) lost 0.6% and
staffing agency Recruit Holdings ( RCRRF ) was down 3.6%.
Despite the yen hovering around 151.32 per dollar, shares of
Japanese companies with higher overseas sales were also lower.
The currency's weakness is likely at its peak, capping the
recent rise in export-related shares, Namioka said.
"It's difficult to see the yen heading lower to something
like 160 per dollar, which is big."
Sony Group ( SONY ) fell about 3%, while Toyota Motor ( TM )
lost 1.1%.
Automakers such as Honda ( HMC ) and Nissan ( NSANF ) also
fell 2.2% and 2.1%, respectively.