Japanese stocks tumbled Monday to their lowest level in four weeks, tracking U.S. losses at the end of last week.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 faded 272.18 points, or 1.6%, to 17,099.40, its lowest settlement since mid-November, with the yen rising to ¥118.27 against the U.S. dollar from ¥118.83 in the prior session.
On Monday, the quarterly tankan survey by Japan’s central bank showed the country’s manufacturers are becoming more cautious about the future.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition won a majority in the parliamentary elections on Sunday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index toppled 221.35 points, or 1%, to 23,027.85, extending a three-day losing streak, as a research report from China’s central bank projected the country’s economic growth could decrease to 7.1% next year on slowing property investment.
In other markets;
Shanghai’s CSI 300 index gained 24 points, or 0.8%, to 3,217.23
Singapore’s Straits Times Index subtracted 29.99 points, or 0.9%, to 3,294.14
The Taiex index in Taiwan fell back 41.70 points, or 0.5%, to 9,895.63
Korea’s Kospi index eased 1.35 points, or 0.1%, to 1,920.36
New Zealand’s Exchange 50 retreated 15.88 points, or 0.3%, to 5,499.07
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 moved lower 33.49 points, or 0.6%, to 5,186.08
