Japan Shares Fall on Slowdown Fears Due to Rising Coronavirus Cases

Japanese stocks closed lower Thursday, July 1, as they were pressured by concerns that a rise in COVID-19 infections could extend restrictions and slow economic recovery.

The Nikkei index fell 0.29% to 28,707.04 points, while the broader Topix index fell 0.22% to 1939.21 points.

Japan is likely to extend coronavirus containment measures for two weeks or more in the greater Tokyo area as cases numbers rise, a month before the start of the Summer Olympics.