Japan's Nikkei Stock Average extended losses on Thursday a day after its weakest session for 2012. Nikkei 225 index lost 0.53% or 52.38 points and closed at 9,767.61. The losses were limited by upper house of parliament decision to reject Ryutaro Kono, PM's nominee to the BoJ board. Inpex Corp lost 1.3% on falling crude prices. Showa Denko gained 3.8% on news the firm will produce hard disks for Seagate Technology. Tokyo Electric Power added 1.9% as government prepares to buy a majority stake in the company.