Japanese stocks retreating for the first time in six sessions due to correction and profit taking

Japanese shares ended trading lower on Friday in the first loss in six sessions, due to correction and profit taking after rising in the previous session to its highest level in six months, in addition to some concerns after the occurrence of an earthquake in the west of the country.

Nikkei closed lower by about 50.91 points or 0.30 percent to 17,184.59 points, and the Topix index fell 5.51 points or 0.40 percent to 1,365.29 points.

Japanese shares ended yesterday's trading up more than one percent, in the fifth one-day gain in a row, and the Nikkei hit its highest level since last April, supported by the continued rise of the shares of export companies, and a wide rise of the shares of real estate companies.

Japan Broadcasting reported that NHK that several people have been injured after a violent earthquake that hit the west of the country _ magnitude of 6.6 Richter scale, and the radio did not announce the occurrence of any event of the death, and this earthquake is considered the most violent since April last earthquake which killed more than 100 people.

Japanese stocks hit a weekly gain of about 2 percent, with the local currency yen trading near its lowest level in three months against the US dollar, which boosted export companies gains, especially automakers.

Futures for the S & P 500 fell 0.2 percent, and the index closed yesterday's session on Wall Street, down by 0.1 percent, in the first loss in three days, after the prospect of raising US interest rates in December next rose.