The Nikkei average opened the afternoon session down approximately ¥416 from the previous day, but the decline narrowed slightly as investors bought at lower levels. The market remained sharply lower in the morning session, while the TOPIX also remained weak.
The Nikkei 225 opened the afternoon session at ¥64,726.08, down ¥416.70 from the previous day. Shortly after the open, bargain hunting at lower levels emerged, and the decline narrowed slightly from the morning session close.
As of the morning session close, the Nikkei was down ¥545.32 from the previous day at ¥64,597.46, while the TOPIX was down 13.75 points at 4,032.89. Worsening tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment, prompting widespread selling centered on semiconductor-related stocks. At the same time, bargain hunting at lower levels was also observed, narrowing the decline.
By sector and stock, some large-cap semiconductor-related stocks turned lower, and selling emerged in stocks with a significant impact on the Nikkei. Across the market, approximately 62% of stocks declined. Trading volume was 951.50 million shares, and trading value was ¥3.9989 trillion.
At 10:15 a.m., the Nikkei's decline at times widened to more than ¥800, but immediately after the afternoon session opened, the market appeared to be carrying over the morning session's decline while the overall downside remained limited.