For those who are looking to take their lead from the Nikkei (currently down 3.3%), would be well reminded that there are 2 shaping influences affecting Japanese stocks at the moment: 1. following Wall Street's lead; and 2. the continuing anti-Japanese protests in China. Given that Chinese protests really cannot occur without being sanctioned by the Chinese Government suggests clearly a dramatic deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations. Clearly, geo-political tensions have moved beyond the Taiwan Strait (/South China Sea), and away from the Korean Peninsula, to now embrace Japan. The so-called Eastern variant (whereby tensions erupt on a number of Chinese based frontiers) appears to be stirring from its recent slumber. Not a case of war (no where near it). But definitely a case of emerging frayed nerves, strained relations, and probably an exodus of Japanese investment from /trade with China.
