But they struck a deal on several measures, including a so-called "golden rule" to tighten budgetary discipline as the move to avoid a repeat of the debt crisis that has threatened to plunge the world economy into recession.
The deal would include "automatic consequences" for countries whose public deficit exceeds three per cent of gross domestic product, unless a powerful group of nations blocks it.
"Up until now, we were disappointed many times by no exciting results from eurozone meetings," said Daisuke Uno, chief market strategist of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 1.48 per cent lower on Friday, amid worries Europe will fail to muster the firepower needed to contain its debt troubles.
The European Central Bank cut its key rates and boosted measures to help banks, but shied away from increased bond purchases, with its Italian president, Mario Draghi, saying it was for governments to solve the problem.
"Draghi's dismissive view prompted profit-taking in stocks that had gained previously on higher expectations," Hideyuki Ishiguro, supervisor of investment strategy at Okasan Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires.
"Other policy measures were in line with the market view."
Sumitomo's Uno said: "Many say the ECB results were disappointing but it rather would have been a surprise if the central bank had done something striking."
"Investors do not expect much to come out of the EU meeting, either."
In the week to December 9, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 1.24 per cent, or 107.29 points, to 8,536.46.
The Topix index of all first-section issues fell 0.81 per cent, or 6.02 points, to 738.12.
Uno said investors were looking ahead to a US Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
"The issue is no longer within the realm of eurozone but becoming a matter of whether major economies can coordinate or not," he said. "We are focusing now to see whether the Fed will offer to play a coordinating role."
Uno expects the Nikkei to trade in a range between 8,300 and 8,700. For the latest updates on the stock market, visit Stock Market Today For the latest updates PRESS CTR + D or visit Stock Market news Today
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