Japan’s Nikkei Falls Over 2% As Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets

Japan's Nikkei stock index fell sharply on Wednesday as investors reduced exposure to riskier assets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Nikkei 225 closed down 2.3% at 54,963.35 points, marking its third consecutive session of losses.

The broader Topix index declined 2.44% to close at 3,680.39 points.

All 33 sector sub-indices ended in negative territory, with oil refiners leading the declines, falling 5.7% to emerge as the worst-performing sector.