Japan 225 slides as Asian tech selloff spreads to European chipmakers

The Nikkei 225 index declined 0.6% to 64,512 by the midday break on Tuesday, driven by weakness in artificial intelligence-related shares amid broader regional tech declines that subsequently hit European markets. Investors hesitated to rebuild exposure to AI and semiconductor holdings ahead of earnings, amplified by elevated Brent crude oil prices near $110 per barrel. In Japan, SoftBank Group fell 3.3% and Fujikura lost 3.4%. Regional weakness deepened as South Korea's KOSPI dropped up to 3.7%, later prompting European semiconductor stocks to tumble during Tuesday morning trading.