The Nikkei average fell sharply. Declines in Advantest and Tokyo Electron dragged it down by approximately ¥721, and it ended the morning session at ¥65,361.60.
As of the close of the morning session on the 31st, 94 Nikkei average component stocks had risen, 127 had fallen, and 4 were unchanged. The Nikkei average ended the morning session down ¥1,043.96 from the previous day at ¥65,361.60. Selling prevailed after the opening, following developments in the U.S. market, while month-end institutional investor rebalancing temporarily widened the decline.
Advantest was the top decliner contributor, dragging the Nikkei average down by approximately ¥535, followed by a sharp decline in Tokyo Electron. SoftBank Group, Ibiden, TDK, Murata Manufacturing, and Lasertec also drove the decline. Fast Retailing was the top advancer contributor, pushing the Nikkei average up by approximately ¥20, followed by Toyota Motor, Fujikura, Suzuki Motor, and Sony Group.