Kyodo News reported that Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 plunged more than 4% on November 4, 2026, extending losses amid mounting market fears as U.S. midterm election results near. The index sank from the previous close to a new low, though the exact point drop was not specified in the brief release. This late‑week decline follows an earlier Xinhua report, which logged a 3.04% slide—down 1,915.36 points—to 61,166.08 at 10:43 a.m. local time, the same day markets had been closed for a public holiday.
Xinhua also detailed that the broader Topix index fell 70.14 points, or 1.78%, to 3,860.14. The drop coincided with the Nikkei’s steep fall, reflecting broad‑based concerns across Japan’s stock market. While the Xinhua piece cited figures at 10:43 a.m., the Kyodo update came at 12:36 p.m., suggesting the market continued to waver as the U.S. midterms approached.
Neither outlet presented the figures as unverified; both asserted the numbers as reflected in the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s latest indicator. Market analysts note that the U.S. midterm elections remain a key catalyst, with investors wary of policy ripple effects that could influence global equity flows. Traders are watching the Nikkei’s direction closely, as Japan’s market plays a bellwether role for Asian equities.
Japanese authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the sudden decline, but the market’s reaction underscores heightened volatility ahead of the U.S. election. Participants in the trading session noted that the day’s closure on Tuesday was part of a statutory public holiday, a fact included in both reporting outlets’ background context.
