Tokyo stocks closed lower Tuesday as a weak tone set by the Wall Street overnight and the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar were compounded by escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula triggering a risk-off mood.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 67.39 points, or 0.33 percent, from Monday to close the day at 20,330.19.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged 0.08 point, or 0.00 percent, lower to finish at 1,672.74.

Electric appliance, machinery and insurance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.