Japan stocks were lower after the close on Tuesday, as losses in the Food, Gas and Water and Communication sectors led shares lower. 
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 12.13 points, or 0.07%, from Monday to end the day at 16,725.36. 
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged down 0.43 point, or 0.03%, to close at 1,312.81. 
The days turnover was 1,678.3 billion yen (16.43 billion US dollars).