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Economy
Japan's Nikkei fell 1.6% on Friday to 52,740.09 points, heading for a fourth consecutive weekly loss as escalating Middle East tensions fueled risk aversion. Hopes for a ceasefire in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran faded after an Iranian official rejected Washington's proposal as "one-sided and unfair," undermining de-escalation prospects. The broader TOPIX index dropped 0.8% to 3,614.20 points. Although US President Donald Trump extended the deadline for strikes on Iranian energy facilities by 10 days, citing talks were going "very well," Tehran's dismissal dampened market sentiment. On the Nikkei, 90 stocks advanced while 134 declined.
Japan's Nikkei index fell on Friday, heading for losses for a fourth consecutive week, as fading hopes for an imminent ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran dampened market optimism and pushed investors to avoid risk.
The Nikkei dropped 1.6% to 52,740.09 points by 00:35 GMT, losing 1.3% for the week. The broader TOPIX index fell 0.8% to 3,614.20 points.
US President Donald Trump said he would extend the deadline before launching attacks on Iranian energy facilities by 10 days after what he described as a request from Tehran, adding that talks with Iran were going "very well".
However, an Iranian official rejected Washington's proposal for ending the conflict, describing it as "one-sided and unfair", casting a shadow over prospects for de-escalation.
Among stocks traded on the Nikkei, 90 advanced and 134 declined.
