Japanese stocks faced selling pressure following a five day rally and due to stocks going ex-dividend today, all resulting in profit-taking. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.9% to 17,365.05. TOPIX fell 1% to 1,723.86. Decliners outnumbered advancers 1,419 x 233 (58 unchanged). Note we are also rapidly approaching the end of the current fiscal year.