The Tokyo markets were nearly even on Monday but ended mixed, with the Nikkei 225 0.1 percent higher to 16,364.76 but the Topix index ending 0.1 percent lower to 1,616.71. Much of the losses came in sectors that depend on exports, with investors worried that new data on unemployment will make the US Federal Reserve reluctant to let interest rates fall.
The electronics sector was lower with Sony down 1.1 percent to ¥4,730, while Sharp dropped 1.2 percent to ¥2,070.
Despite the concerns however, some carmakers were higher. While Nissan Motor fell 0.6 percent to ¥1,437, Toyota Motor added 1 percent to ¥7,030 on reports that it will become Japan’s first company to report that their operating profits for the year were above ¥2,000 billion. Mazda was also higher, gaining 1.9 percent to ¥809 after it reported operating profits that were 55 percent higher in the quarter.
In domestic sectors, retailers saw losses on concerns that a decline in the US economy would hurt the Japanese economy as well. Seven & I dropped 1.6 percent to ¥3,610, while Fast Retailing fell 2.7 percent to ¥10,610 after investors were not happy with sales. Department store operator Marui Company, meanwhile, dropped 8.8 percent to ¥1,417 on a profit warning.
Among banks, SMFG was 1.5 percent lower to ¥1.29 million.