Japanese shares dropped sharply at Wednesday's open, following a steep decline on Wall Street driven by investor anxiety over a renewed US-Europe trade conflict concerning Greenland.
The Nikkei 225 index opened 1.4% lower, losing 763 points.
Investors are also focused on Japan's bond market after a recent sell-off pushed yields to unprecedented levels.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama urged calm among participants in these volatile markets.
Additional unease stems from erratic US foreign policy as tension escalated after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on European nations that opposed his bid to purchase Greenland.
Trump is expected to arrive in Davos for the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.
Comments