As investors remained cautious ahead of crucial earnings from artificial intelligence giant Nvidia, Japan's Nikkei share gauge fell for a fourth day on Wednesday.
After alternating between gains and losses, the Nikkei 225 Index closed down 0.3% to 48,537.70, its longest losing run in seven weeks. The Topix as a whole fell 0.2%.
The previous session saw the biggest decline in Japan's blue chip share gauge in almost seven months as global equity markets were shaken by worries over the valuations of technology related companies.
Nvidia's shares dropped 2.8% as U.S. markets concluded the day lower. Following Wednesday's close in New York, the business will release its quarterly results. According to Nomura Securities strategist Fumika Shimizu, worries about stimulus expenditure and diplomatic tensions with China caused a dramatic increase in the yields on Japanese government bonds, which also acted as drags on the country's stocks.
"The decline in semiconductor-related stocks and rising interest rates seem to be weighing on the market," Shimizu stated.
"The focus will be on whether (Nvidia) can show revenue or profit forecasts that exceed market expectations." On the Nikkei index, there were 112 gains and 111 losses.
Retailer Aeon, up 4.6%, and movie theater operator Toho (Tokyo), up 3.9%, were the biggest gains in the index. Ibiden fell 4.1%, while Sumco fell 6.26%, making them the largest losers.
