<p>Japanese shares fell on Wednesday for the third consecutive session, pulled down by worries that surging coronavirus cases in Europe and the United States could further damage an already-battered global economy.</p>.<p>Also, trading was subdued as the upcoming US presidential elections kept many investors on the sidelines, analysts said.</p>.<p>The benchmark Nikkei share average fell 0.29% to close at 23,418.51, while the broader Topix lost 0.31% to 1,612.55.</p>.<p>All but six of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange-traded lower, with miners, iron and steel and insurers leading declines.</p>.<p>The local market tracked the overnight weakness in US stocks on rising coronavirus infections and as US lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement on a stimulus package, said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management in Tokyo.</p>.<p>US President Donald Trump acknowledged on Tuesday a coronavirus economic relief deal would likely come after the Nov. 3 election.</p>.<p>A near 0.4% decline in US stock futures also weighed on Japanese stocks.</p>.<p>However, the market got some support from upbeat earnings reports, with Shimano Inc soaring 17% after the bicycle parts maker upgraded its forecast for annual operating profit.</p>.<p>Japan's index of insurers, who rely on foreign bonds for income, dipped more than 2.8% after US Treasury yields declined overnight on dwindling hopes for a US stimulus deal.</p>.<p>Dai-ichi Life Holdings fell 2.7% and T&D Holdings dropped 2.8%, while Tokio Marine Holdings slipped around 3.5%.</p>.<p>Shares of ANA Holdings closed 0.35% higher, after rising as much as 4%, after the airline operator on Tuesday unveiled its restructuring plans and forecast a record operating loss of 505 billion yen for the year to March.</p>.<p>Furniture retailer Otsuka Kagu Ltd jumped 33.1% to hit its daily limit after the company said its president would be stepping down. </p>
<p>Japanese shares fell on Wednesday for the third consecutive session, pulled down by worries that surging coronavirus cases in Europe and the United States could further damage an already-battered global economy.</p>.<p>Also, trading was subdued as the upcoming US presidential elections kept many investors on the sidelines, analysts said.</p>.<p>The benchmark Nikkei share average fell 0.29% to close at 23,418.51, while the broader Topix lost 0.31% to 1,612.55.</p>.<p>All but six of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange-traded lower, with miners, iron and steel and insurers leading declines.</p>.<p>The local market tracked the overnight weakness in US stocks on rising coronavirus infections and as US lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement on a stimulus package, said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management in Tokyo.</p>.<p>US President Donald Trump acknowledged on Tuesday a coronavirus economic relief deal would likely come after the Nov. 3 election.</p>.<p>A near 0.4% decline in US stock futures also weighed on Japanese stocks.</p>.<p>However, the market got some support from upbeat earnings reports, with Shimano Inc soaring 17% after the bicycle parts maker upgraded its forecast for annual operating profit.</p>.<p>Japan's index of insurers, who rely on foreign bonds for income, dipped more than 2.8% after US Treasury yields declined overnight on dwindling hopes for a US stimulus deal.</p>.<p>Dai-ichi Life Holdings fell 2.7% and T&D Holdings dropped 2.8%, while Tokio Marine Holdings slipped around 3.5%.</p>.<p>Shares of ANA Holdings closed 0.35% higher, after rising as much as 4%, after the airline operator on Tuesday unveiled its restructuring plans and forecast a record operating loss of 505 billion yen for the year to March.</p>.<p>Furniture retailer Otsuka Kagu Ltd jumped 33.1% to hit its daily limit after the company said its president would be stepping down. </p>