Asia-Pacific Markets React to Tokyo Inflation and US Tariffs

Major stock indexes across the Asia-Pacific region faced downward pressure on Friday, following the release of higher-than-expected inflation data from Tokyo. This development, coupled with ongoing concerns over US President Donald Trump's imposition of a 25% tariff on non-US made automobiles, has left investors cautiously assessing the market's direction.

Market Movements Across the Region

In Japan, the Nikkei index fell sharply by 2.18%, or 824 points, as the US dollar weakened against the yen. South Korea's Kospi also saw a significant drop of 2.04%. However, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 managed to close slightly higher by 0.16%.

Meanwhile, in mainland China, the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite indexes declined by 0.51% and 0.60%, respectively. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index wasn't spared either, sliding by 0.99% or 234 points.