Japanese shares eased on their return from a long holiday on Thursday, with airlines declining the most, as sentiment was dampened by Tokyo's move to extend a state of emergency and dour US economic data.
The broader Topix index dropped 0.32% to 1,426.73, with air transport and land transport among the worst three performing sectors on the local bourse, down 6.8% and 2.9%, respectively.
Japan extended a nationwide state of emergency on Monday, underscoring expectations that travel demand was unlikely to recover anytime soon.
Markets in Japan were closed from Monday through Wednesday for a string of national holidays.
On Thursday, Japan Airlines shed 6.9% and ANA Holdings lost 6.7% as US peers plunged earlier this week on news that billionaire Warren Buffett had sold his entire stakes in the top four US carriers.
Meanwhile, the blue-chip Nikkei average edged up 0.28% to 19,674.77, helped by gains in semiconductor-related stocks.
Chipmaking gear manufacturer Tokyo Electron Ltd rose 3.2% and test device maker Advantest Corp climbed 3.3%, tracking gains in US peers. Nintendo Co Ltd gained 3.3%.
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