Tokyo stocks end lower on inflation concerns after Fed minutes indicate more rate hikes

TOKYO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Thursday as the minutes of the Federal Reserve's January meeting suggesting more interest rate hikes this year reignited concerns about the effects of higher U.S. Treasury yields.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 234.37 points, or 1.07 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 21,736.44.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 15.44 points, or 0.88 percent, to finish at 1,746.17.

All industry category on the main section retreated, with mining, iron and steel, and air transportation-linked issues comprising those that declined the most by the close of play.