Japanese equities extended losses for a fifth consecutive session on Wednesday, pressured by a selloff in bank stocks as heightened bond market volatility fueled concerns over potential trading losses. The Nikkei 225 fell 0.41% to 51,774, while the broader Topix Index dropped 0.99% to 3,590. Financials led the decline, with Mitsubishi UFJ sliding 3.5%, Sumitomo Mitsui down 3.6%, and Mizuho Financial losing 3.9%. JGB yields surged to fresh highs earlier in the week on mounting fiscal concerns linked to proposals to cut the 8% sales tax on food, before easing after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama urged calm among market participants. Investors also braced for a snap election on Feb. 8, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moves to consolidate power and push for a more expansionary fiscal agenda. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is widely expected to keep policy unchanged later this week.
