0025 GMT - Japanese stocks are lower due to fears about stability in the Middle East and higher oil prices following strikes by U.S. and Israel against Iran. Financial and airline stocks are leading declines. Nomura Holdings is down 7.3% and Japan Airlines is 6.2% lower. Meanwhile, oil explorer Inpex is up 12% thanks to gains in crude oil prices. USD/JPY is at 156.43, compared with 155.90 as of Friday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching developments in the Middle East and crude oil prices. The Nikkei Stock Average is down 2.3% at 57478.55. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com; @kosakunarioka)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 01, 2026 19:25 ET (00:25 GMT)
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