Japanese Shares Fall as Tech, Banks Weigh

2026-02-20 00:46 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1% to around 56,900 while the broader Topix Index slid 1.2% to 3,805 on Friday, breaking a two-day rally, with tech and bank stocks leading the retreat.

Global risk appetite weakened amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, while investors also grew cautious ahead of key US data after minutes of the Fed's last meeting showed some officials were open to raising rates further if inflation remains persistent.

Domestically, data indicated that Japan’s headline and core inflation slowed in January, reflecting government measures to ease cost-of-living pressures.

Declines among major tech and bank shares were led by Tokyo Electron (-3.5%), SoftBank Group (-3.3%), Advantest (-1.5%), Mitsubishi UFJ (-2.2%) and Mizuho Financial (-2.2%).

In corporate news, Sumitomo Pharma plunged 13% in a likely profit-taking after the company secured a conditional approval for its regenerative therapy.

Both benchmark indexes were on track to finish the week largely unchanged.



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The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1% to around 56,900 while the broader Topix Index slid 1.2% to 3,805 on Friday, breaking a two-day rally, with tech and bank stocks leading the retreat. Global risk appetite weakened amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, while investors also grew cautious ahead of key US data after minutes of the Fed's last meeting showed some officials were open to raising rates further if inflation remains persistent. Domestically, data indicated that Japan’s headline and core inflation slowed in January, reflecting government measures to ease cost-of-living pressures. Declines among major tech and bank shares were led by Tokyo Electron (-3.5%), SoftBank Group (-3.3%), Advantest (-1.5%), Mitsubishi UFJ (-2.2%) and Mizuho Financial (-2.2%). In corporate news, Sumitomo Pharma plunged 13% in a likely profit-taking after the company secured a conditional approval for its regenerative therapy. Both benchmark indexes were on track to finish the week largely unchanged.
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