Asia Pre-Market Mixed: Japan Stocks Dip, Philippines and Sri Lanka Gain

Asian markets opened mixed as investors digested Wall Street’s sharp overnight losses. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.4%, led by declines in tech and export stocks, while Manila’s PSEi gained 0.59% and Sri Lanka’s CSE index rose 0.49%, reflecting localized strength amid global volatility. Analysts said regional sentiment remains cautious due to renewed U.S.-China tensions, though select Southeast Asian markets showed resilience supported by stable domestic demand and improving foreign inflows.