{
  "id": 1896162,
  "title": "Tokyo stocks plunge, Nikkei sinks over 3%, on high bond yields",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/tokyo-stocks-plunge-nikkei-sinks-over-3-on-high-bond-yields",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-19T08:05:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260819/p2g/00m/0bu/031000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tokyo stocks tumbled on Wednesday, with the Nikkei index dropping more than 3%, driven by rising bond yields and worries over a Middle East conflict escalating. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed 2,134.31 points, or 3.16%, lower at 65,326.42, while the broader Topix index fell 127.91 points, or 3.09%, to 4,012.31. Among top-tier issues, declines were concentrated in nonferrous metals, glass, ceramics, and machinery sectors. The U.S. dollar slipped to a range around 159 yen, as investors hesitated over potential yen-buying measures. Declines in AI and data center-related stocks mirrored their American counterparts, pressured by high-interest rates. Topix also suffered from profit-taking after hitting three straight record highs last week. Strategists noted that high-priced stocks, including AI-related shares, lost momentum. Despite the decline, market participants remain cautious about bond market developments, according to Nomura Securities strategist Maki Sawada. Meanwhile, crude oil futures stayed above $80 per barrel, further dampening sentiment, following a tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump stating, \"There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with Iran.\"",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks plunged Wednesday, with the Nikkei index ending more than 3 percent lower, weighed by higher bond yields and rekindled f",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}