Asian shares tumble after Japan's S&P downgrade

Laura Miller
clock

Leading Tokyo shares fell on Friday after ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) downgraded Japan's creditworthiness.

S&P cut Japan's long-term sovereign debt rating to AA minus for the first time since 2002, saying Tokyo lacked a plan to deal with its economic problems. The main Nikkei index closed down 118.32 points, or 1.1%, at 10,360.34, but was still up 0.8% for the week. It comes as the International Monetary Fund has told Japan, America, Brazil and many other indebted countries  they must implement deficit cutting plans, or risk a repeat of the sovereign debt crisis that has engulfed Greece and Ireland. London's index of 100 leading shares opened down 0.58%, or 34.45 points, to 5,930.63...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Lowest level in two and a half years

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 August 2025 • 4 min read
Think tank warns UK fiscal hole could surpass £50bn by 2030

Think tank warns UK fiscal hole could surpass £50bn by 2030

Government not on track to meet ‘stability rule’

Sorin Dojan
clock 06 August 2025 • 1 min read
Chancellor Khalaf has a plan to make our economy boom

Chancellor Khalaf has a plan to make our economy boom

'So, Sir Keir, if you're reading, I do genuinely hope Rachel is doing okay. And my number's still the same. So, you know, call me'

Laith Khalaf
clock 25 July 2025 • 5 min read