-- Japanese shares closed lower on Thursday, weighed by weaker sentiment after data showed consumer confidence fell in March for the first time in three months, raising concerns that rising fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions are pressuring the recovery.
The Nikkei 225 fell 0.73%, or 413.10 points, to close at 55,895.32.
Consumer sentiment fell to 33.3 in March, down 6.4 points from February, marking the sharpest monthly decline since April 2020, according to a survey conducted from March 6 to 23.
The government said sentiment is weakening, revising down its prior view that confidence had been improving.
In other economic news, Japan's machinery orders jumped in March, supported by strong overseas demand. Total orders rose 32% month on month to 193.51 billion yen and 28% year on year.
On the corporate front, Life Corp (TYO:8194) fell 2% after saying Mitsubishi holds a 26% voting stake, making it an equity-method affiliate, while maintaining operational independence.
Tsuruha (TYO:3391) dropped 10% after reporting a sharp profit rise but flagging a 10.8 billion yen impairment loss and issuing a softer earnings outlook.
Besterra (TYO:1433) declined 7% after reporting a fatal construction site accident in Kawasaki that left three workers dead, with the cause under investigation.