This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Mainichi)
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Tokyo stocks were mixed Wednesday morning, weighed down by the uncertain prospects of Japan-U.S. tariff talks, while export-oriented auto issues were bought on a weaker yen.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 11.39 points, or 0.03 percent, from Tuesday to 39,677.42. The broader Topix index was up 8.39 points, or 0.30 percent, at 2,824.93.
The U.S. dollar rose above the 147 yen line in Tokyo as expectations for an early interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan receded amid caution over the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Japanese economy, dealers said.
At noon, the dollar fetched 147.04-08 yen compared with 146.55-65 yen in New York and 146.03-05 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.1710-1713 and 172.18-27 yen against $1.1719-1729 and 171.78-88 yen in New York and $1.1760-1761 and 171.74-78 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
Stocks opened higher, as heavyweight semiconductor-related shares tracked an overnight advance by the tech-heavy U.S. Nasdaq index.
But the Nikkei benchmark later lost momentum as investors remained wary about U.S. tariffs after President Donald Trump decided to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Japan starting Aug. 1, leaving room for further negotiations.
AloJapan.com