https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/06/business/japan-nikkei-plunges-hnk-intl/index....Hong Kong
CNN
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Asian markets plunged on Monday, deepening a global stocks rout triggered by US President Donald Trump’s trade war.
Japan’s benchmark
Nikkei fell by more than 8% shortly after opening. The share average, which tracks 225 of the country’s most valuable companies, has fallen below the 33,000 level for the first time since August 2024, according to Reuters. The broader Topix index last traded more than
9% lower.Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday the government will continue to ask President Trump to lower tariffs against Japan, but acknowledged results “won’t come overnight,” according to Reuters.
“As such, the government must take all available means” to cushion the economic blow from US tariffs such as offering funding support for domestic firms and taking measures to protect jobs, Ishiba reportedly told parliament. On Wednesday, Trump imposed a 24% across-the-board tariff on Japan, a defense treaty ally, which is due to take effect later this week.
Asian markets are tracking the worst two-day stretch for Wall Street stocks in five years. US stock futures plunged Sunday evening after two sessions of sell-offs that wiped away over $5.4 trillion in market value.
US stocks were set to open sharply lower Monday, putting the S&P 500 on the precipice of a bear market —
a decline of 20% from its peak and an ominous sign for investors and perhaps the broader economy.
South Korea’s Kospi tumbled more than
4.8% shortly after opening.
Australia’s benchmark ASX 200 index fell as much 6.3% in morning trade,
while New Zealand’s NZX 50 lost more 3.5%.