Published on 03/30/2026 at 02:59 am EDT
(MT Newswires) -- Japanese shares closed lower on Monday as heightened intervention warnings and signals of a potential near-term rate increase weighed on sentiment, amid rising concerns over inflation linked to the Middle East conflict.
The Nikkei 225 fell 2.79%, or 1,487.22 points, to close at 51,885.85.
Japan stepped up its intervention warning, with top currency diplomat Atsushi Mimura saying authorities may take "decisive" action if speculative moves in the yen persist.
Market nerves have been rattled by the Iran war, which has disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting crude prices and driving demand for the dollar. The yen weakened beyond 160 per dollar, its lowest level since July 2024, when Japan last stepped in to support the currency.
In economic news, BOJ policymakers debated faster rate hikes as oil-driven inflation risks rise, with some warning of stagflation and others urging action to avoid falling behind the curve, a March meeting summary showed.
On the corporate front, Nissan Motor fell 4% after launching a new Infiniti model in the U.S., its first North American debut in five years, as it looks to revive regional operations.
ispace slid 18% after delaying its lunar lander mission to 2030 from 2027 due to technical risks, pushing back its profitability timeline.
Meanahile, FinTech Global edged 2% lower after approving the dissolution of subsidiary Metsa Series 2 following the transfer of its Moomin Monogatari stake.

Sumber : MT Newswires