Stock movements
rose Nikkei indicator At the close, it increased by only 0.1 percent, recording 38,143.29 points after opening with a decline of 0.79 percent, which then turned to rise by up to 0.6 percent during the session.
Local media reported that the ruling Free Democratic Party and the Komeito Party, its partner in the government coalition, may lose the majority in general elections to be held on October 27, a vote that will be held after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolved the House of Representatives on October 9.
Takamasa Ikeda, portfolio manager at GCI Asset Management, said the market is concerned about the government’s stability.
He added, “The Free Democratic Party will have a difficult time passing legislation if the ruling coalition loses the majority.”
The index fell Topix The broader market rose 0.05 percent, recording 2,635.57 points, with Toyota Motor shares falling 0.69 percent.
But Advantest, a maker of chip testing equipment, rose 2.31 percent, providing the biggest support to the Nikkei index.
Shares also increased Tokyo Electron Manufacturer of chip manufacturing equipment 1.12 percent.
As for Fast Retailing, which owns the Uniqlo brand, it fell 0.73 percent, putting the greatest pressure on the Nikkei index.
The shares of SoftBank Group, which invests in emerging technology companies, also fell by 1.97 percent.