The Nikkei 225 Index slid 1% to close at 50,491.87, trimming its weekly gain to 0.5%. The broader Topix fell 1.1%.
An 18-year peak in benchmark Japanese government bond yields dampened equities after a three-day rally, Nomura Securities strategist Maki Sawada said, as investors awaited policy decisions from the Bank of Japan and the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
“Regarding the rise in the 10-year yield, one factor is growing speculation that the Bank of Japan may raise rates at its December meeting,” Sawada said. “With the FOMC looming next week, I think Japan’s stock market is likely to face some selling pressure.”
The BOJ is likely to raise rates this month with the government expected to tolerate such a decision, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Meanwhile, traders are pricing in around 86% odds of a Fed rate cut next Wednesday, and potentially two-three more reductions next year, according to LSEG-compiled data.There were 42 advancers on the Nikkei against 181 decliners. The largest losers in the index were Trend Micro, down 8.9%, followed by tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, which lost 4.7%.
The largest gainers were electronic component maker Ibiden , up 6.9%, followed by major artificial intelligence investor SoftBank Group, which rose 6%.