The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.18 per cent or 49.33 points to 26,683.11 at the open, while the broader Topix index slid 0.15 per cent or 2.70 points to 1,787.82. — Reuters pic
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.18 per cent or 49.33 points to 26,683.11 at the open, while the broader Topix index slid 0.15 per cent or 2.70 points to 1,787.82. After hitting a 52-week high during the trading session, the Dow ended with a loss of 0.6 per cent. The broad-based S&P 500 fell 0.4 per cent but the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.5 per cent.
The call came as Japan sees rising infections of around 3,000 new cases per day, with doctors and nurses warning they are overwhelmed.