Japan’s Nikkei share average ended flat on Thursday after hitting a fresh 15-year high as investors took profits ahead of the Bank of Japan’s two-day policy meeting on Friday.

The Nikkei 225 ended up 0.03 per cent at 20,202.87, marginally higher. The index has risen for five straight days, the longest daily winning streak in three months.

The broader Topix gained 0.2 per cent to 1,646.80 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 also added 0.2 per cent to 14,892.69.