Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index has fallen, while most markets in Asia are closed for Lunar New Year holidays. Oil prices were mixed. The U.S. dollar continued to fall slightly against the Japanese yen, while the prices for gold and silver also fell. Weak economic data released Monday appeared to be clouding sentiment in Tokyo, and a drop for tech giant SoftBank Group also pulled shares lower. The decline follows a big rally after a resounding win for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling party in a recent election. Attention among global investors has been focused on risks associated with massive investments in artificial intelligence as well as inflation.
