Tokyo stocks closed mixed in largely subdued trade as market participants awaited more details on the Japanese government's latest economic stimulus measures.

The Nikkei 225 rose 72 points to 14,194, but the broader Topix, or Tokyo Stock Price Index, of all First Section-listed issues retreated 5.31 points to 1084.

After remaining in negative territory for most of the session, the Nikkei rebounded strongly in the last minutes of trade on what dealers read as public fund buying of select blue chips.

Retreating issues outnumbered advancers 616 to 478, while 179 issues were unchanged.

"Many participants remained sidelined to await upcoming economic measures," said Kunihiro Hatae, general manager at Tokyo Securities.

The market opened higher following gains in US stocks Friday and on expectations of more active economic steps, but later ran out of steam in the absence of new information about the measures.

The government is due to announce next Monday a package of public works and other steps expected to total over Y10 trillion, with basic contents of the package to be released by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party around Thursday.

Local media also reported that Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi would study a proposal to cut the consumption tax to 3% from 5%. He made the pledge in talks with former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone.

The tax increase in April 1997 is widely viewed as being a major factor to send Japan's economy into recession.