Nikkei closes lower amid US-China trade tension concerns

Japan’s Nikkei index closed lower today amid concerns over US-China trade tensions and a stronger yen, which hurt automakers.

The Nikkei index fell 1.3% to close at 37,470.67, while the broader Topix index fell 0.87% to 2,777.29. “Investors are concerned about growing uncertainty over trade issues,” said Shoichi Arisawa, general manager of investment research at Iwaikosmo Securities.

He added, “The optimism over tariff policy that pushed the Nikkei above the psychologically important 38,000 level last week has faded.”

Automakers’ shares fell, with Toyota Motor and Honda Motor declining 2.82% and 2.11%, respectively. Chip-related stocks declined, with Advantest and Tokyo Electron falling 3.76% and 1.72%, respectively.