31.03.202607:02:40UTC+00Japanese Shares Book Sharp Monthly Losses

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.58% on Tuesday to close at 51,064, while the broader Topix Index lost 1.26% to finish at 3,498, marking a fourth consecutive session of declines as escalating uncertainty over the Middle East conflict weighed on investor sentiment. For March, the Nikkei and Topix dropped 13.23% and 11.19%, respectively, posting their weakest monthly performances since the 2008 global financial crisis. Japan continued to struggle with elevated energy costs linked to the Iran war, underscoring its heavy dependence on oil imports from the region. Signals from the US on efforts to resolve the conflict remained mixed, with recent reports indicating that President Donald Trump is prepared to halt the US military campaign against Iran even without a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Selling was broad-based on Tuesday, with technology, financial, consumer, and defense stocks leading the decline.