Japanese Nikkei Closes Lower

The Japanese "Nikkei" index closed lower today, Tuesday, with technology stocks leading the losses as risk appetite was affected by caution ahead of interest rate decisions from major global central banks, including the Bank of Japan. The Nikkei dropped 0.06% to close at 32,682.51 points, after having previously fallen by 0.6% during the session. The broader "Topix" index closed up 0.18% at 2,285.38 points. Expectations strongly suggest that the Bank of Japan will maintain its ultra-low interest rate policy unchanged in its meeting that begins this Thursday and lasts for two days. The Federal Reserve (U.S. central bank) is expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points in its monetary policy meeting tomorrow, Wednesday.