Synopsis Nikkei average fell 0.77 per cent to close at 29,538.73. It has been in a holding pattern after hitting a 30-and-a-half-year high in mid-February, with a break of either its March 18 high of 30,485 or March 24 low of 28,379, seen as needed for a new trend to emerge. AP The broader Topix ended 0.25 per cent lower at 1,954.59. TOKYO: Japanese shares ended lower on Monday, dragged down by sharp losses in Yaskawa Electric after the industry bellwether's earnings outlook failed to meet the market's expectations, prompting a sell-off in other tech stocks. Nikkei average fell 0.77 per cent to close at 29,538.73. It has been in a holding pattern after hitting a 30-and-a-half-year high in mid-February, with a break of either its March 18 high of 30,485 or March 24 low of 28,379, seen as needed for a new trend to emerge.