Japanese stocks edge down

Japanese shares inched lower Tuesday for the third consecutive day of decline, led by retailers, as investors took to the sidelines due to a lack of cues, DPA reported. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 10.46 points, or 0.12 per cent, to end at 8,786.05 after rising 0.25 per cent in the morning session. The broader-based Topix index was down 1.16 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 731.19. Shares in Fast Retailing fell 1.46 per cent due to concerns about sales. Fast Retailing closed some stores temporarily in China earlier this month amid anti-Japan protests. On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT) in Tokyo, the dollar traded at 78.06-07 yen, up from Monday's 5 pm quote of 77.92-93 yen. The euro was quoted at 100.79-81 yen, up from 100.27-31 yen late Monday, and at 1.2911-2913 dollars, up from 1.2868-2869 dollars.