FX.co ★ Japanese Shares Fall for Fourth Session

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.4% to below 56,600 on Tuesday, marking a fourth consecutive decline, as technology and defense stocks dragged the market lower. Ongoing concerns about AI-driven disruption, especially in software, business services, and media, continued to weigh on growth-oriented stocks. SoftBank Group slipped 4% amid its significant exposure to the global tech sector, while HR tech firm Recruit Holdings lost 3.8%. Defense-related names also weakened, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries down 1.4% and Kawasaki Heavy Industries off 2.6%. Pharmaceutical and consumer stocks likewise came under pressure, adding to the broad-based softness. On the policy front, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made no specific requests during their regular meeting on Monday, providing little new guidance on monetary or fiscal policy.