I’m not sure why the Japanese market isn’t closed when the U.S. market is, because it seems almost pointless, as trading is mostly directionless, and everyone is wondering about X data release coming out next from the U.S. and/or how U.S. stocks will trade next. At any rate, let’s just say they gave it their best, but it was a weak showing for the bulls, as the Nikkei 225 failed to hold and recover 17,500 (it closed down fractionally (0.04%) to 17,484.78.) TOPIX lost 0.2% to 1,717.08. TOPIX decliners outnumbered advancers 1,007 x 551. JASDAQ lost 0.6% to 83.86. Yen/US$ is still trading at the upper 118 level. By the way, Nikkei futures in Osaka finished unchanged at 17,530.