Asian equity markets opened in mixed territory on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 0.3% to 70,247 points while South Korea’s Kospi posted a notable decline.
The divergence underscores the uneven impact of renewed geopolitical risks and currency volatility across the region.
Concerns over stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran weighed on investor sentiment, while a weakening yen provided some support for Japanese exporters.
The mixed opening follows a period of flux in Asian markets, which have struggled to find direction amid aftershocks from a recent Wall Street sell-off.
The uneven performance highlights how regional benchmarks are reacting differently to global macro pressures.
While Japanese equities found modest footing, Korean stocks faced selling pressure, reflecting broader skepticism among investors regarding the near-term outlook.