TOKYO, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks fell for a third consecutive day on Monday as investor sentiment weakened following the U.S. military's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which prompted broad-based selling at the opening.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, closed at 38,354.09, down 49.14 points, or 0.13 percent, from the previous trading day.
Early morning selling was triggered by concerns over rising geopolitical risk and spiking oil prices. WTI crude futures surged on the New York Mercantile Exchange, raising fears of worsening Japan's trade deficit.
However, the decline narrowed later in the session as the yen weakened against the U.S. dollar, supporting export-oriented stocks.
The broader Topix index also fell for a third straight day, closing down 10.08 points, or 0.36 percent, at 2,761.18.
On the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, declining issues numbered 915, while 653 advanced and 58 were unchanged. ■
