Japanese Stocks Close LowerTokyo, 29 Dec 2025 (ONA) — Japan’s Nikkei index closed lower today after two sessions of gains, influenced by a decline in technology sector stocks that tracked weak performance on Wall Street at the end of last week, in addition to some major stocks trading ex-dividend. The Nikkei fell 0.44 percent to 50,526.92 points, while the broader Topix index rose 0.1 percent to 3,426.52 points. Japanese stocks linked to artificial intelligence, which carry significant weight, declined, with shares of Advantest down 2.3 percent and Tokyo Electron down 0.29 percent. Shares of Daikin Industries, a maker of air-conditioning systems, fell 2.02 percent, while Bridgestone’s tire-making stock lost 1.23 percent. The rubber industry index declined 1.4 percent, making it the worst performer among the sub-indices. By contrast, financial sector stocks rose, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group gaining 0.44 percent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group up 0.39 percent, and Mizuho Financial Group rising 0.71 percent. Of the more than 1,600 stocks traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s main market, 61 percent advanced, 34 percent declined, and 2 percent were unchanged. — Ends/AH