La Tokyo Stock Exchange closed the session lower. The Nikkei index of the 225 leading stocks lost 141,03 points at the close, equal to 0,98%, falling to 14.288,23 points. On the other hand, the Topix lost 0,79% to 1.160,74 points.
The market was weighed down by losses from Wall Street (the Dow Jones fell 0,85% on Friday, the Nasdaq 1,7%). A slew of disappointing corporate estimates also contributed to depressing investor sentiment. Honda Motor fell 4,5% after earnings forecasts for the year ending March 2015 fell far short of market expectations.
Meanwhile, tensions in Ukraine have pushed on the upside the yen (considered a safe-haven asset), although trading volumes remain low ahead of tomorrow's Japan holiday and upcoming week events and indicators.
Investors are awaiting cues from appointments such as the FOMC meeting, the BoJ meeting and US payrolls. However, many traders believe that a policy change by the Bank of Japan is unlikely.
