The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 0.64% Lower

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.47% to close at 64,693 on Thursday, while the broader Topix Index slipped 0.41% to 3,902, as Japanese equities pulled back from record highs amid renewed weakness in technology shares. Investors also continued to monitor developments in the Middle East following reports of fresh US strikes on Iran, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it had targeted a US airbase without revealing the location. Domestically, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warned earlier this week about rising inflationary pressures stemming from higher oil prices, though he stopped short of signaling whether the central bank could raise interest rates at its next policy meeting. Technology stocks led the market lower, with declines from SoftBank Group (-2%), Fujikura (-2.4%), Advantest (-2.9%), and Lasertec (-3.4%).

The Nikkei 225 Index dropped 414 points or 0.64 percent on Thursday to close at 64585 points. Losses were led by Fuji Electric (-7.48%), Furukawa Electric (-7.41%) and Sumitomo Metal Mining (-7.34%). Offsetting the fall, top gainers were Taiyo Yuden (15.65%), Murata Manufacturing (9.71%) and TDK (5.40%).

The Nikkei 225 Index edged up 0.2% to above 65,100, while the broader Topix Index slipped 0.4% to 3,902 on Thursday, as Japanese equities struggled to maintain momentum amid weakness in technology stocks. Investors also continued to track developments in the Middle East following reports of fresh US strikes on Iran, while stalled peace negotiations kept concerns over inflation and interest rate hikes in focus. At home, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warned earlier this week about mounting inflationary pressures driven by higher oil prices, though he stopped short of indicating whether the central bank could raise rates at its next policy meeting. Technology shares led the decline, with losses from SoftBank Group (-3.7%), Fujikura (-1.8%), Tokyo Electron (-1.5%), Advantest (-1.4%), and Lasertec (-2.1%).