Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 16.86 points, or 0.04 percent, from Friday at 38,470.38.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 14.96 points, or 0.57 percent, higher at 2,639.69, its highest close since February 1990.
Market watchers here noted the Nikkei index was mostly in negative territory throughout the day, weighed down by a fall in high-tech issues, while the benchmark's climb to a 34-year high on Friday led some investors to take in profits.
But the market's downside was lifted by market players buying shares on optimism that the Nikkei index would reach an all-time high this week, analysts said.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by rubber product and electric appliance issues, while farm and fishery, and bank issues led gainers.
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