Tokyo stocks ended mixed Friday, as uncertainties over the conflict in the Middle East led to a pause in buying momentum.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 196.57 points, or 0.28 percent, from Thursday at 71,250.06.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 23.22 points, or 0.57 percent, lower at 4,044.96, the first drop in three sessions.
Shares opened strongly, with the Nikkei stock index hitting a fresh intraday high near the 72,000 line, tracking overnight advances on Wall Street led by semiconductor-related issues.
The stocks came under pressure later in the day as uncertainty remains over the course of peace talks between the United States and Iran, which prompted crude oil futures to rise, analysts said.
Meanwhile, the Japanese yen weakened to the upper 161 zone against the U.S. dollar on Friday, nearing its lowest level in more than 39 years, with the market showing little reaction to Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama's warning of "decisive" action if there are speculative moves in the currency market.
Tokyo stocks end mixed on Middle East uncertainties
Some Iranian citizens are skeptical about the prospects for a lasting peace agreement, after the United States and Iran agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that ended more than 100 days of conflict between the two countries.
Iran, the United States and Pakistan early Monday announced the finalization of the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. The agreement was signed early Thursday by the Iranian president and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday at a White House briefing that the MoU triggered a 60-day negotiating period that began on Thursday and is due to expire on Aug 17.
On the streets of Tehran, residents expressed mixed reactions towards the MoU, with some voicing wariness based on past experience with negotiations.
"If an agreement is reached and it serves the interests of our country, we support it. However, during the previous two rounds of negotiations we were attacked, and officials must be cautious and take the interests of the Iranian people into account in these talks and agreements, so that they lead to economic prosperity and improved conditions," said Alireza, a Tehran resident.
"We are not at all optimistic about Mr. Trump. During the negotiations, we were attacked twice. I think this time will be the same as before," said Aziz, another Tehran resident.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region.
Tehran residents express skepticism following signing of Iran-US MoU
