Nikkei turns lower as investors take stock of economic challenges

TOKYO, Nov 19(Reuters) - Japanese stocks turned lower on Wednesday as investors booked profits as they took stock of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to delay a sales tax hike, and the challenges policy makers continue to face to re-energise a tottering economy. The Nikkei benchmark closed down 0.3 percent at 17,288.75, reversing slim gains in the morning session. Market participants said a wait-and-see mood ahead of a press conference by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda enco