TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average closed lower on Monday for a third consecutive day, as a global bond market selloff and escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on risk appetite.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index fell 1 percent to close at 60,815.95, while the broader Topix slid 0.97 percent to 3,826.51.
Investor sentiment weakened after major Wall Street indexes closed lower on Friday, led by declines in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Meanwhile, yields on Japanese government bonds soared on Monday, extending the global fixed-income market selloff on concerns the Iran war could fuel inflationary pressures.
Reports of drone incursions in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia further heightened geopolitical concerns. US President Donald Trump warned that Iran must act “fast” as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict appeared to stall.
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