Japan`s Nikkei slips after sharp gain as software firms slump

Feb 4, 2026, 14:12 GMT
By Junko Fujita
Reuters - Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Wednesday, a day after it logged a sharp gain, as software developers tracked a selloff in their global peers.
The Nikkeifell 0.78% to 54,293.36. It climbed nearly 4% to a record high on Tuesday, its biggest daily gain since October 25.
The broader Topixended 0.27% higher at 3,655.58.
Software and system developers fell, with NECtanking 11.79%. Nomura Researchand Fujitsulosing more than 7% each.
A significant selloff among U.S. and European data analytics, professional services and software companies deepened overnight, with some investors pointing to a recently updated artificial intelligence chatbot by Anthropic as the main culprit.
"These local companies did not react to a selloff of software firms that took place some time ago in the U.S. But finally today they were hit by the wave," said Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.
Chip-related shares fell, with Advantestand Tokyo Electronlosing more than 2% each and dragging the Nikkei the most.
Recruit Holdings, which owns job-searching firm Indeed, slumped 10%.
Nintendofell 10.98% after maintaining its annual earnings and hardware forecasts. The "Super Mario" maker on Tuesday posted a 23% jump in quarterly profit on robust sales of its Switch 2 console.
Ibiden, a maker of high-performance electronics and ceramics, tanked 14% to become the worst percentage loser on the Nikkei.
Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's prime market, 66% rose, 30% fell, and 2% traded flat.
Fibre optic cable makers rose, with Furukawa Electricand Fujikurajumping 7.3% and 4.7%, respectively.

Sumber : Reuters