Tokyo stocks close flat

Tokyo stocks ended flat on Thursday as gains in export-related shares driven by a cheaper yen helped offset pressure from falls on Wall Street.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended up 0.04 per cent, or 12.24 points, at 28,246.53, while the broader Topix index was down 0.05 per cent, or 0.93 points, at 1,969.05.

Wall Street shares fell on lingering worries about inflation while US yields trended higher. But the yen's weakness against major currencies continued to provide solid support for Japanese exporters, analysts said.

The dollar stood at 133.75 yen, around a 20-year high and down from 134.29 yen overnight in New York but still higher than 133.03 yen in Tokyo on Wednesday.

"Purchases of export-reliant companies, on the backdrop of the depreciation of the yen, supported the market," said Daiwa Securities strategist Mamiko Katayama.

Oil explorer Inpex climbed 3.26 per cent to 1,807 yen and distributor Eneos gained 1.35 per cent to 578.6 yen.

The shipping sector was among the losers, with Mitsui OSK lines sinking 7.74 per cent to 3,220 yen and Nippon Yusen ending down 6.99 per cent at 9,850 yen.