The Nikkei average is down 141 yen (as of 14:50). In terms of Nikkei average contribution, Fast Retailing <9983>, Toyo Electric <8035>, SoftBank Group <9984>, etc. are among the top negative contributors, while Daikin <6367>, Recruit Holdings <6098>, Toyota <7203>, etc. are among the top positive contributors. In the sector, precision instruments, retail trade, pharmaceutical, are declining, while textiles & apparels, insurance, construction, steel, transportation equipment are among the top gainers.

The Nikkei average remains flat. Later today, Ajinomoto <2802>, Terumo <4543>, Nippon Steel <5401>, Kobe Steel <5406>, Fujikura <5803>, TOWA <6315>, Rohm <6963>, Taiyo Yuden <6976>, Mazda Motor Corp <7261>, mitsubishi estate <8802>, Kirin Holdings <2503>, Kao <4452>, Shiseido Company, Limited Sponsored ADR <4911>, Nissan Motors <7201>, etc. are scheduled to announce quarterly earnings. In the USA tonight, weekly initial jobless claims, Q3 US labor productivity index (preliminary), September US wholesale inventory and revenue figures will be released, and early tomorrow morning Japanese time, the results of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will be announced, with a press conference by Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) scheduled.