Japan’s Nikkei share average touched a record high earlier in the day before ending lower, as the Middle East crisis outweighed optimism over corporate earnings and technology investment, Reuters reports.

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to a proposal for peace talks, dimming hopes for an end to the conflict that has driven up global energy costs.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.5 per cent to close at 62,417.88, erasing an earlier gain to 63,385.04 in the session. The broader Topix gauge, which is less exposed to geopolitical factors, climbed 0.3pc to 3,840.93.

Opinion

Editorial

New regional order
Updated 11 May, 2026

New regional order

The fact is that the US has only one true security commitment in the Middle East — Israel.
A better start
11 May, 2026

A better start

THE first 1,000 days of a child’s life often shape decades to come. In Pakistan, where chronic malnutrition has...
Widening gap
11 May, 2026

Widening gap

PAKISTAN’S monthly trade deficit ballooned to $4.07bn last month, its highest level since June 2022, further...
Momentary relief
Updated 10 May, 2026

Momentary relief

THE IMF’s approval of the latest review of Pakistan’s ongoing Fund programme comes at a moment of growing global...
India’s global shame
10 May, 2026

India’s global shame

INDIA’s rabid streak is at an all-time high. Prejudice is now an organised movement to erase religious freedoms ...
Aurat March restrictions
Updated 10 May, 2026

Aurat March restrictions

The message could not have been clearer: women may gather, but only if they remain politically harmless.