Nikkei 225 index closes 0.2% lower amid global skepticism

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average declined on Thursday led by globally exposed companies as US retail sales weakened and Spanish downgrade amid surging borrowing costs damped investor sentiment. Nikkei 225 index shed 0.22% or 18.95 points closing at 8,568.89. Utilities and consumer services performed worst within the index. Toyota Motors slipped 1.2% and Toshiba gave up 1.7%. On the upside Nomura Holdings rallied 4.2% and Pacific Metals added 2.8%.