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Japanese stocks slide on yen strength Japanese stocks slide on yen strength
(about 3 hours later)
Japanese shares are falling in Tokyo, as a stronger yen weighs on exporting firms. The US dollar has fallen to below 110 yen.Japanese shares are falling in Tokyo, as a stronger yen weighs on exporting firms. The US dollar has fallen to below 110 yen.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 opened lower by 1.1%, or 186.73 points, at 16,769 points. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 2.29% at the midday mark, down to 16,568.12 points.
Shares of 202 companies are trading with losses, only 17 have gained. Shares of 212 companies were trading with losses; only seven have gained.
Tech firms Sony and Panasonic saw their shares hit, and carmakers including Toyota, Nissan and Isuzu were also part of the loss making group. Tech firms Sony and Panasonic saw their shares hit, and carmakers including Toyota, Nissan and Isuzu were also part of the loss-making group.
Takata shares fell 3.3% fall at the open after US carmaker Ford said it would recall about 1.9 million vehicles in North America, which have been fitted with defective airbag inflators made by the company. Takata shares were lower by 3%, outpacing the fall in the broader market. US carmaker Ford has said it will recall about 1.9 million vehicles in North America, which have been fitted with defective airbag inflators made by the company.
In Australia, the S&P ASX/200 index nudged down by 0.28% to 5,308 points. Sentiment for Japanese stocks is also taking a hit after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially announced a delay to an increase in the nation's sales tax. That is raising concerns about the direction and growth prospects for the economy.
South Korea's Kospi index was flat at 1,981.81. Revised growth data released earlier on Thursday showed the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.8% in the first quarter, compared with a previous estimate of 2.7%. Mr Abe has said the increase in the tax from 8% to 10% will be delayed until late 2019. It was originally scheduled to be implemented next year.
Elsewhere in Asia, China's Shanghai Composite was flat at 2,915.83. Over in Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng index was directionless, at 20,733.99.
South Korea's Kospi index was mostly unchanged at 1,984.12. Revised growth data released earlier on Thursday showed the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.8% in the first quarter, compared with a previous estimate of 2.7%.
In Australia, the S&P ASX/200 has shed 0.83% - or 44.3 points - to 5,227.70.