By Stanley White
TOKYO, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Japanese shares edged lower on
Tuesday on lingering doubts about a fresh round of U.S. tariffs
on Chinese imports against the backdrop of positive commentary
from Washington and Beijing on progress in trade talks.
The Nikkei 225 index .N225 fell 0.18% to 23,388.92 by 0157
GMT, with industrial and consumer discretionary sectors leading
the decliners.
In the run-up to new tariffs on $156 billion worth of
Chinese imports on Dec. 15, both China and the United States
have made reconciliatory tones.
While China has said it hoped to make a trade deal as soon
as possible, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is
doing well in hammering out an agreement with Beijing.
Some traders are also focused on a U.S. Federal Reserve
meeting ending Dec. 11. The Fed is widely expected to keep
interest rates on hold, but traders will scrutinise the Fed's
statement and its economic forecasts for clues about future
policy decisions.
The largest percentage losers on the index were chemicals
maker Tokuyama Corp 4043.T , down 3.5%, followed by Kansai
Electric Power Co Inc 9503.T , losing 2.73%, and Internet
services company DeNA Co Ltd 2432.T , sliding 2.46%.
The largest percentage gainers were marine products company
Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd 1332.T , up 3.07%, followed by Casio
Computer Co Ltd 6952.T , gaining 2.42%, and Nippon Sheet Glass
Co Ltd 5202.T , up by 2.33%.
There were 59 advancers on the Nikkei index against 153
decliners.
The broader Topix .TOPX fell 0.11% to 1,720.48.
The volume of shares traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's
main board .TOPX was 0.41 billion, compared to the average of
1.25 billion in the past 30 days.