Japan Market Daily | Kabutaro & Friends

The Nikkei 225 edged down for a third straight session on September 15, closing down 8.89 yen at 63,484.10. The TOPIX fell more sharply, down 21.05 points to 4,037.16, with large-cap names outperforming smaller issues. Advantest alone pulled the index down about 222 yen, and together with Tokyo Electron the two stocks cut about 250 yen. Fujikura, Toyota Tsusho, Fast Retailing, Sony Group and KDDI were also weak. SoftBank Group was the biggest positive contributor, adding about 353 yen on its own, with Recruit Holdings and Kioxia Holdings also supporting the index. In Tokyo forex trading, the dollar rose to 154.91 yen and briefly topped 155 yen during London hours, driven by expectations that the two-day US FOMC meeting starting today will begin a rate-hike cycle, along with safe-haven dollar buying amid heightened Middle East tensions.