Tokyo stocks post steep losses as BOJ stays pat

Tokyo stocks posted steep losses on Thursday as the Bank of Japan decided not to step up its monetary easing, compounding dampened investor sentiment from weak U.S. gross domestic product data.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 538.94 points, or 2.69 percent, from Tuesday at 19,520.01, its biggest one-day loss since Feb. 4, 2014. Tokyo markets were closed Wednesday for a holiday, according to Japan's (Kyodo) News Agency.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 34.64 points, or 2.13 percent, lower at 1,592.79.

Decliners were led by information and communication, precision instruments and foods, while only shipping and mining gained ground.