Nikkei Average is down 1994 yen (as of 2:40 pm). In terms of the Nikkei Average contribution, First Retail＜9983＞, Toyo Electric＜8035＞, SoftBank Group＜9984＞ are among the top negative contributors, while Nitori Holdings＜9843＞, Nichirei＜2871＞, Chiba Bank＜8331＞ are among the top positive contributors. In the sector, transportation equipment, real estate, securities and futures, electric and gas industry, electric appliances are among the top decliners, while banking sector is rising.

Nikkei Average is trending in the lower range. In the USA, tonight, the September US Chicago Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) will be announced. Also, in the early hours of tomorrow Japan time, there is a scheduled participation by Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB).