The Nikkei 225 slipped 0.5% to below 37,900, while the broader Topix Index lost 0.4% to 2,800 on Thursday, snapping a two-day rally.

Automakers led the decline after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imported cars and light trucks, set to take effect next week. Japanese carmakers saw steep losses, including Toyota Motor (-2.9%), Honda Motor (-2.3%), Subaru (-5.7%), Mazda Motor (-5.3%), and Nissan Motor (-3.5%). Technology stocks also retreated following a tech-led selloff on Wall Street.

Sharp declines were recorded in Advantest (-5.3%), Fujikura (-5.1%), Disco (-3.7%), SoftBank Group (-3.4%), and Lasertec (-1.5%). Meanwhile, investors continued to weigh the Bank of Japan's policy outlook after Governor Kazuo Ueda told parliament that interest rate hikes would continue if economic projections hold.

Source : Trading Economics