<div id="readability-page-1">Tech sector drag: Large-cap semiconductor stocks, including Tokyo Electron and Advantest, posted steep losses, leading the Nikkei 225 lower. Inflation surprise: Japan's wholesale prices rose at the fastest pace in three years, intensifying bets on a Bank of Japan rate increase. Support in focus: The index is testing support near 63,700, with a break potentially targeting the 60,000–62,000 range.</div>

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<p>The Nikkei 225 declined due to steep losses in large-cap semiconductor stocks like Tokyo Electron and Advantest, alongside rising inflation expectations. Japan's wholesale prices surged at the fastest pace in three years, increasing bets on a Bank of Japan rate hike. The index is testing support near 63,700, with a potential break targeting the 60,000–62,000 range.</p>

Nikkei 225 falls as tech weakness and inflation data weigh