The Nikkei 225 weakened 0.1% to 45,600, while the Topix gained 0.2% to 3,177 on Thursday, as Japanese equities lacked a clear direction due to pressure on technology stocks. This followed two consecutive days of declines in major US indexes, driven by concerns over record-high valuations and complex interdependencies in the AI ​​sector.

Domestically, minutes of the Bank of Japan's July meeting suggested that policymakers remain inclined to raise interest rates further if economic and price conditions develop as expected. Investors are now eyeing Friday's Tokyo inflation data, a key indicator of national price trends, for additional cues on policy direction. Technology stocks generally weakened, with Lasertec (-0.8%), SoftBank Group (-0.8%), Advantest (-1.5%), Tokyo Electron (-0.4%), and Keyence (-1.4%) all declining, while financial and consumer staples stocks outperformed. (ads)
Source: Trading Economics