TOKYO: Japanese stocks dropped on Thursday, losing more than 1.5% after data showed that monthly industrial production fell the most in two years and the yen weakened to a 24-year low overnight, stoking fears of an economic slowdown.
The Nikkei share average fell steadily throughout the day and lost 1.54% by the end of trading. The broader Topix index was down 1.20% on the day.
The Japanese yen rebounded slightly to trade at 136.17 to the US dollar after hitting a new 24-year low overnight, breaching the key 137 mark.
Earlier in the day, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released data that showed industrial production fell 7.2% in May, the second straight monthly decline and the biggest monthly drop in two years.
“May’s weaker-than-expected industrial production cast a shadow,” said Kazuo Kamiya, a strategist at Nomura Securities. “The market is in a position where negative factors are likely to be reflected.” Automakers and other exporters have been hit by shortages of parts and complications from the COVID-19 lockdowns in China.
Toyota Motor Corp, the world’s largest car manufacturer, was down 1.32% after the company missed its May production target, which had already been revised downward.
“Hopes for a recovery from the components shortage have receded,” said a market participant at a domestic securities firm. “The outlook wasn’t bad, but it looks like the market is still sceptical.” The S&P 500 was down slightly overnight and is on track for its worst first-half performance in more than 50 years amid fears that central banks’ measures to combat soaring inflation could lead to a recession.
Of the Nikkei’s 225 components, 153 made losses, three were flat, and 69 made gains.
Energy was the worst-performing Nikkei sector, down 2.77%. Oil company Inpex Corp closed 3.61% lower as Brent crude futures dropped 0.09% to $116.15 a barrel, on track for a second consecutive session of losses.
Financial services company Japan Exchange Group was the worst performer, losing 6.2%. Semiconductor manufacturer Screen Holdings Co Ltd was next at 5.37%. Construction companies Taisei Corp and Kajima Corp were the top movers, up 1.68% and 1.57%, respectively.
Fujifilm Holdings was the best early performer after announcing an investment of $1.6 billion to expand its cell culture manufacturing capacity, but the stock lost its gains to trade down 0.11% on the day.