The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.3% to below 53,600, while the broader Topix Index declined 0.5% to 3,630 on Thursday, ending a two-day rebound amid heightened uncertainty over diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict. The US maintained that peace negotiations are ongoing, although Iran signaled it has no intention of holding direct talks with Washington. Tehran said it would reject a US ceasefire proposal, instead countering with a five-point plan granting control over the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Japan received two oil tankers from the Middle East this week that bypassed the critical waterway, easing some supply pressures. Among individual stocks, notable losses were seen in Kioxia Holdings (-5.6%), Advantest (-2.3%), Tokio Marine (-1.6%), JX Metals Advanced (-3%), and Sumitomo Electric (-3.1%).
