The Nikkei Average closed down more than ¥200 from the previous day. Meanwhile, shipping stocks rose on the TSE Prime Market, with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha updating its all-time high.
The Nikkei Stock Average came under selling pressure from the morning on 21 August 2026, affected by the previous day's decline in U.S. stocks, rising long-term interest rates and geopolitical risks. It fell by more than ¥900 at one point, but narrowed its losses in the afternoon as investors bought on dips. The close was ¥66,016.36, down ¥200.43 from the previous day.
Trading volume on the TSE Prime Market was 2.208 billion shares, with trading value of ¥7.913432 trillion. By sector, shipping rose, while pharmaceuticals and glass and ceramics products declined.
Among individual stocks, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha was the top gainer, rising ¥231, or 7.28%, to ¥3,405 and updating its all-time high. Sumitomo Chemical ranked second and Fujita Kanko third. On the downside, FIG, Seiko Group and Optorun were among the biggest decliners.
A total of 81 issues updated their year-to-date highs, while 1 issue updated its year-to-date low.