Tokyo stocks end lower on Thursday

Tokyo stocks fell back Thursday, with the Nikkei Stock Average sliding 78.88 points, or 0.82%, to end the day at 9,588.38. Short-term players sold stocks to lock in gains in early trading in response to across-the-board declines on overseas markets overnight, according to (Nikkei) website. Concern about Spain's government bond auction slated for later in the evening also prompted the Nikkei average to widen its losses to more than 100 points at one stage. Meanwhile, the yen's fall and expectations that the Bank of Japan will carry out additional monetary easing supported the Tokyo market.