YEREVAN, August 26. /ARKA/. The Nikkei average edged down in very thin trade on Monday as uncertainties over a planned sales tax hike and the U.S. Federal Reserve's tapering kept many investors sidelined, while steady Asian stocks limited the downside for Japanese stocks.

The benchmark Nikkei shed 0.2 percent to 13,636.28 in choppy trade, after rising to as high as 13,741.49 and falling to as low as 13,586.84 during the session. The broader Topix eased 0.1 percent to 1,140.00, with 1.59 billion shares changing hands, the second-lowest since mid-November.
On the upside, short-term investors found buying opportunities in real estate stocks and construction firms,

which could benefit from redevelopment and construction needs if Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics. –0--