TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks snapped a three-day winning streak Thursday, weighed down by selling of heavyweight technology shares amid concerns over artificial intelligence growth and exporters on a stronger yen.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 196.14 points, or 0.50 percent, from Wednesday at 39,081.25. The broader Topix index finished 8.21 points, or 0.30 percent, lower at 2,695.51.

On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by electric appliance, pulp and paper and wholesale issues.

The U.S. dollar briefly weakened close to the 152 yen line as the Japanese currency was bought after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda told a press conference that the central bank intends to continue raising rates if the economy and prices move in line with its expectations. The dollar later fell below the 152 yen line.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 152.24-26 yen compared with 153.36-46 yen in New York and 153.32-34 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0859-0860 and 165.32-36 yen against $1.0850-0860 and 166.50-60 yen in New York and $1.0818-0820 and 165.87-91 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond ended at 0.935 percent, down 0.015 percentage point from its close Wednesday.

Stocks fell as investors locked in gains a day after the Nikkei closed over 39,000 for the first time in two weeks, with electronics issues leading the decline as some recent earnings from U.S. technology giants raised concerns over returns of AI investments.

Selling accelerated in the afternoon, as the BOJ's economic outlook report released along with its monetary policy decision appeared to reaffirm its rate-raising stance, even amid political uncertainty after Japan's ruling bloc lost its House of Representatives majority in Sunday's general election, analysts said.

"For market players who had looked for a change of stance from the BOJ, the results were not what they had expected, keeping stocks down in the afternoon," said Makoto Sengoku, senior equity market analyst at the Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory Co.

Market participants are also likely to be reluctant to trade actively before the outcome of the U.S. presidential election next Tuesday, he said.