Tokyo equities closed in negative territory on Tuesday, with the Nikkei 225 ending the session down 0.47% as losses in several key sectors weighed on the index.
Among individual movers, Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. (TYO:6976) led gains on the Nikkei 225, rising 8.71% - an increase of 356.00 points - to finish at 4,444.00. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd (TYO:4506) also posted a strong advance, adding 7.19% or 213.50 points to close at 3,184.00. Murata Mfg Co (TYO:6981) climbed 6.88% or 226.00 points to end the day at 3,509.00.
On the downside, Japan Steel Works Ltd (TYO:5631) recorded the steepest drop among Nikkei components, falling 5.39% or 504.00 points to close at 8,852.00. SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984) declined 5.10% or 239.00 points to finish at 4,449.00, while NEC Corp. (TYO:6701) gave up 4.67% or 196.00 points to end at 4,004.00.
Sector performance was mixed but leaned negative, with Paper & Pulp, Transport and Communication cited as leading factors in the market's downward direction. Market breadth on the Tokyo Stock Exchange showed more fallers than gainers; 1,966 stocks declined versus 1,655 that advanced, and 210 issues finished unchanged.
Notable price milestones were reached during the session. Shares of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma climbed to five-year highs, closing at 3,184.00 after the 7.19% gain. Murata Manufacturing moved to a 52-week high, ending at 3,509.00 following its 6.88% rise.
Volatility and macro-related indicators moved lower by the close. The Nikkei Volatility index, which measures implied volatility for Nikkei 225 options, dropped 9.30% to 31.03.
Commodity markets saw modest declines. Crude oil for April delivery fell 0.57% or 0.36 to $63.20 a barrel. Brent oil for April delivery slipped 0.64% or 0.44 to $68.21 a barrel. The April Gold Futures contract dropped 1.71% or 85.95 to trade at $4,928.55 a troy ounce.
Currency moves were modest at the close. USD/JPY eased 0.31% to 152.95, while EUR/JPY fell 0.39% to 181.14. The US Dollar Index Futures was slightly higher, up 0.02% at 97.00.
Overall, the session produced a mix of sharp individual stock moves against a backdrop of sector-led weakness, with volatility declining and commodities and currencies showing small shifts by the close.