Stocks Extend Drop In Tokyo As Investors Boost Japan Bonds, Yen

Japanese stocks fell further Wednesday morning after their biggest drop in three years, ignoring a late-day rally in the U.S. markets as worried local and global investors flocked to Japan bonds and the yen.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock index fell 0.9 percent, reversing an opening-bell rise. Australia's ASX 200 fell 1.1 percent. Singapore's financial markets reopened after Lunar New Year holidays and the STI rose 2.5 percent. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Vietnam remain closed.