The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 1.21% Lower

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.12% to close at 56,826, while the broader Topix Index declined 1.13% to 3,808 on Friday, snapping a two-day rally as escalating US-Iran tensions dampened risk appetite. Trump said Iran had no more than 15 days to reach a deal over its nuclear program or face consequences. Investors also turned cautious ahead of key US economic releases that could shape expectations for Fed policy. On the domestic front, data showed Japan’s headline and core inflation eased in January, reflecting government efforts to mitigate cost-of-living pressures. Technology and banking shares led the selloff, with notable declines in Advantest (-2%), Tokyo Electron (-1.5%) and Mitsubishi UFJ (-2.2%). In corporate developments, Sumitomo Pharma plunged 15.6%, likely on profit-taking after securing conditional approval for its regenerative therapy. Both benchmark indexes were on track to end the week broadly unchanged. Japanese markets will be closed on Monday for a holiday.

The Nikkei 225 Index fell -696 points or 1.21 percent on Friday to close at 56772 points. Leading the losses are Sumitomo Dainippon (-15.72%), Toho Zinc (-4.79%) and Toyota Motor (-3.95%).

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.