FX.co ★ Japanese Shares Decline Amid Tech and AI Rout

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.36% to close at 67,470, while the broader Topix Index declined 1.11% to 3,952 on Thursday, as Japanese equities retreated from record highs amid a global selloff in technology and artificial intelligence shares. Local markets mirrored losses in US futures after a subdued outlook from US chipmaker Broadcom weighed on sentiment across the sector. At the same time, renewed tensions between the US and Iran dimmed hopes for a peace agreement and drove energy prices higher, keeping inflation and interest rate concerns in focus. Among individual names, SoftBank Group slumped 11.3% on account of its sizable exposure to AI-related investments. Other notable losers included Kioxia Holdings (-1.5%), Fujikura (-3.9%), Murata Manufacturing (-5%), Taiyo Yuden (-3.9%), and Furukawa Electric (-3.8%).