Japan's Nikkei end lower as earnings season starts

TOKYO, May 9 (Xinhua) - Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed lower on Thursday over cautious market sentiment as Japan entered earnings season.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 128.39 points, or 0.34 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 38,073.98.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 7.03 points, or 0.26 percent, higher at 2,713.46.

Market watchers here noted that