TOKYO: Japanese shares closed flat on Wednesday as investors chose to book profit after the Nikkei briefly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in the previous session, while a weaker yen and sustained hopes for Covid-19 treatment supported overall sentiment.

The benchmark Nikkei share average ended down 0.03% to 23,290.86, after closing 1.35% firmer on Tuesday. It hit its highest level since Feb. 21 in the last session, as investors cheered signs that researchers might be closer to a treatment for the coronavirus.

The broader Topix dipped 0.05% to 1,624.48.

Nearly one-third of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell, with textiles, real estate and foods leading declines.

A weakening yen helped markets trim losses, with the yen last traded down 0.01% at 106.415 per dollar.

A gainer was heavyweight SoftBank Group, up 3.39%, rising for a second straight session.

Fast-food restaurant group Colowide Co rose 2.73% as the company extended its hostile bid for casual dining chain Ootoya Holdings after failing to secure enough shares by the deadline. Ootoya shares jumped 9.41%.