The Nikkei fell 425 points after opening in Tokyo on the 15th, as weak semiconductor stocks and persistently high oil prices weighed on the market. Against the backdrop of declines in US markets, a sharp drop in the SOX Index and developments related to yen depreciation made investors more cautious.
The Nikkei continued to fall after opening in Tokyo on the 15th, trading 425 points below the previous day's close as of 9:00 a.m. Selling in semiconductor-related stocks, in addition to declines in US equities, pushed the broader market lower. The market is expected to remain soft after the opening.
Major US indexes all fell, with the SOX Index posting a particularly sharp decline. This prompted early selling in semiconductor-related stocks in Tokyo, weighing on the broader market. Persistently high crude oil futures prices and elevated US long-term interest rates also restrained investor sentiment.
The focus will be on whether the Nikkei can hold the ¥63,000 level, while ¥64,000 is likely to be watched as an upside resistance level in any rebound. The market is expected to remain volatile as investors monitor overseas markets and currency movements.