Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Stay Muted as Dollar Holds Firm Amid Iran Uncertainty 
Currency Markets Show Caution Amid U.S.-Iran Negotiations 
Wall Street Slides as Iran War Uncertainty, Oil Surge, and AI Fears Rattle Markets 
Trump Tariffs Show Minimal Economic Impact but Boost Federal Revenue, Study Finds 
Asian Stocks Gain Amid Iran Conflict Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Reviews U.S. Peace Proposal Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Oil Prices Slide as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks, Middle East Tensions Persist 
Iran-Israel Missile Strikes Continue Amid Mixed Signals on U.S.-Iran Diplomacy 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations 
U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington 
U.S. Dollar Weakens as Trump Signals Iran Deal Possibility 
Gold Prices Climb as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Stir Market Optimism 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.8% to 37,096.51 by midday Tuesday, its lowest level since September 18, as investors grew cautious ahead of new U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The Topix index dropped 1.2% to 2,696.99, with market sentiment further dampened by a stronger yen and underperformance in exporters and tech stocks.
The yen strengthened to its highest level since early December after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Japan and China against currency devaluation, calling it unfair to the U.S. The stronger yen weighed on major exporters like Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM), down 2.2%, while Fast Retailing fell 2.6% and SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984) slid 5.2%. Seven & i Holdings tumbled 10.2%, adding to the market downturn.
Technology stocks struggled as well, with Advantest plunging 6.2% amid concerns over U.S. growth and tariff impacts. Analysts noted similarities to last summer’s market turmoil, when the Nikkei plunged due to a rising yen and U.S. recession fears.
Wall Street’s major indexes closed sharply lower Monday after Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, alongside an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The impact rippled through global markets, fueling volatility in Japan.
The Nikkei Volatility Index surged to 31.6, its highest since early November, following the U.S. presidential election. Analysts suggest Japan’s policymakers may remain hawkish on yen movements, limiting hopes for intervention.
As trade tensions escalate and economic uncertainty looms, investors remain wary of further downside risks in Japan’s stock market.
