The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 0.08 percent, or 20.89 points, at 27,260.28 in early trade, while the broader Topix index lost 0.09 percent, or 1.80 points, to 1,895.39
The Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.62 percent, or 453.96 points, to 27,523.19, while the broader Topix index fell 1.61 percent, or 31.41 points, to 1,924.98
Korea's Kopsi dropped 1.45% with Samsung Electronics falling to a seven-month low on concerns that memory chip prices may start to slip around the fourth quarter
Higher US yields also benefit Japanese shares because they tend to cheapen the yen and boost exporters' profit, though in recent years analysts have noted those relations appear to have weakened considerably
The Dow and S&P 500 ended at fresh records Tuesday as industrial companies and commodities producers advanced after the Senate passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package
Its rival shipping firm Kawasaki Kisen dropped 3.13 percent to 4,025 yen after investors were disappointed at its decision to postpone dividend payments