TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower Thursday as earlier gains in exporters boosted by a weaker yen were more than offset by selling of semiconductor issues tracking recent weakness in their U.S. counterparts.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 185.96 points, or 0.48 percent, from Wednesday at 38,535.70. The broader Topix index finished 7.20 points, or 0.27 percent, lower at 2,701.22.

On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by electric power and gas, oil and coal product and metal product issues.

The U.S. dollar briefly topped the 156 yen line, its highest level since late July, as news that Republicans now control both houses of Congress fueled expectations that President-elect Donald Trump will face little opposition in implementing policies likely to worsen inflation and push interest rates higher.

At 5 p.m., dollar fetched 155.83-85 yen compared with 155.45-55 yen in New York and 155.10-12 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0550-0551 and 164.41-45 yen against $1.0560-0570 and 164.17-27 yen in New York and $1.0602-0603 and 164.44-48 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond ended at 1.060 percent, its highest level since late July and a rise of 0.020 percentage point from Wednesday's close.

The debt was sold tracking rises in long-term U.S. Treasury yields on views rates could be higher under Trump.

Stocks initially attracted bargain-hunting after recent losses, with exporters sought on a weaker yen, which lifts their overseas profits when repatriated, while rising long-term interest rates boosted banking issues on hopes for improved earnings.

But stocks pared gains to end lower, dragged by heavyweight technology stocks, as sentiment was dampened by recent declines in U.S. chip shares and falling U.S. Nasdaq index futures, analysts said.

"The market was dragged by a drop in heavyweight chip shares that inherited weakness in their U.S. peers," said Maki Sawada, a strategist in the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.