Tokyo shares closed lower Monday with the Nikkei index declining for the first time in 10 trading days following the U.S. stock market ended lower last Friday amid disappointing U.S. housing starts data for November.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 9.55 points, or 0.05 percent, from Friday at 19,391.60.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 1.61 points, or 0.10 percent, lower at 1,549.06.

Decliners were led by marine transportation, steel and iron and securities issues.

The day's turnover was about 2,143.7 billion yen (around 18.3 billion U.S. dollars).