Tokyo shares closed almost flat Wednesday on subdued trading before the end of the year. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 1.34 points, or 0.01%, from Tuesday at 19,401.72. 

    The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 0.58 point, or 0.04%, higher at 1,536.80. Gainers were led by iron and steel, and nonferrous metal issues, while decliners were led by rubber product and textile and apparel issues. 

    The day's turnover was around 1,559.1 billion yen (13.25 billion US dollars).