The Nikkei 225 fell sharply as trading opened, losing more than ¥1,900 at one point. Markets have become volatile against a backdrop of yen weakness and rising long-term interest rates.
The Nikkei 225 fell immediately after trading opened, with losses widening over the course of the day. It fell by more than ¥1,900 at one point during the session, slipping below the ¥65,000 threshold.
Long-term interest rates rose into the 3% range for the first time in 30 years. Rising crude oil futures prices also weighed on the market, while concerns over the situation in the Middle East spread and selling prevailed, particularly in AI-related and semiconductor stocks.
In foreign exchange markets, demand for the dollar strengthened, and the yen remained vulnerable to further weakness. Market participants said they viewed the current situation as one in which "there are few factors supporting the market."
Some market participants expect the so-called triple sell-off, in which yen weakness, falling bond prices and declining share prices occur simultaneously, to continue as a factor shaping market conditions. Attention is focused on developments ahead.