Investors have opted for electric machinery and auto shares in recent days, counting on the positive effects of a weak yen.
A broad array of shares has remained under selling pressure, however, widening the schism between surging export-oriented issues and falling banking shares.
The 225-issue Nikkei average has stayed firm, while the Topix index of all shares listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's first section slipped below the 1,000 level late last week for the first time since Sept. 26.