The Nikkei fell for the first time in 4 sessions as semiconductor-related stocks weakened. It closed at ¥63,290, down ¥1,369 from the previous day. BOJ Governor Ueda's press conference is scheduled after the close.
The Nikkei opened the Tokyo market down ¥315 at ¥64,344, but selling dominated from the start following declines in US technology stocks, widening the losses. The intraday decline reached as much as ¥1,948, with the index hitting ¥62,711, while it stood at ¥63,019 at the morning close.
In the afternoon session, ahead of the release of the BOJ's monetary policy meeting decision, the outcome was broadly in line with market expectations and there was no significant rebound. The Nikkei ultimately fell ¥1,369 to ¥63,290, its first decline in 4 sessions. The TOPIX fell 38 points, while the TSE Growth Market 250 continued to decline, down 10 points.
Among individual stocks, Daiwa Securities Group fell 1.8% to ¥1,698.5, Daiichi Sankyo rose 5.2% to ¥2,754, Fujitsu fell 16.2% to ¥3,622, Japan Tobacco fell 2.1% to ¥7,247, and Oriental Land rose 8.5% to ¥3,438. New information was presented in the earnings results for each stock.
Investors are watching developments in next week's US midterm elections and employment report, as well as the progress of corporate earnings. With BOJ Governor Ueda's press conference scheduled, implications for the future course of monetary policy are expected to be a key focus for the market.