Nikkei falls 2% as investors assess impact of Middle East conflictPedestrians walk in front of a stock quotation board displaying the Nikkei share average and the yen-dollar conversion rate outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, March 2, 2026. REUTERSTOKYO: Japan's ⁠Nikkei share ​average fell as investors ​assessed ‌the impact of a military conflict in the Middle East, which sent oil prices ​surging, ⁠potentially affecting the nation's economy. The Nikkei was down ‌1.9% at 57,702 as of 0013 GMT, while the broader Topix ⁠slipped 2.1% to 3,854.52. Conflict in the Middle East intensified as ​military ‌action by the United States and Israel against ​Iran ⁠continued, with Iran retaliating with missile strikes ⁠across the region, raising fears of broader regional instability. Energy shares rose, ⁠with the energy explorers ​index jumping 9%, while Inpex leapt 7% to become the Nikkei's top ‌percentage ⁠gainer.

Source: Bangkok Post March 02, 2026 01:58 UTC