TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share gauge lost ground for a third straight session on Monday as chip-related shares continued their decline, while energy-linked shares gained on higher oil prices. The benchmark Nikkei 225 slid 0.80 percent to close at 62,189.65, its lowest closing level since July 30. The broader Topix edged up 0.18 percent to 3,972.98.
US share gauges ended lower on Friday, but the S&P 500 energy sector rose 2.5 percent to a record. Oil prices slid from a six-month high on Monday after reports that Qatari mediators visited Tehran to seek de-escalation in coordination with the United States, following intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia that had stoked supply concerns.
Breadth was largely positive on the Nikkei, but the heavy weighting of tech shares dragged it lower. The gauge had 149 gainers and just 73 decliners.
The largest losers were online retailer Mercari, down 6.21 percent, followed by Screen Holdings, 4.34 percent lower, and Kokusai Electric, which lost 4.29 percent.