Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:23am on 09 Mar 2026,Monday Sports
Stock markets in Japan and South Korea fell sharply on Monday as oil prices crossed $100 a barrel during the US-Iran conflict. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped more than 6% in early trade. The broader Topix index also fell about 5.7%, its biggest drop since April last year. South Korea’s Kospi index plunged more than 8%, triggering market circuit breakers for the second time this month. Oil prices surged after disruptions in West Asia and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The route carries a large share of global oil trade. Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports. Portfolio manager Hiroshi Matsumoto said the country is “among the most affected globally.” (PC: X)
