The Nikkei 225 fell 1.4% to below 37,700 on Friday, while the broader Topix Index lost 1.1% to 2,752, as Japanese equities declined for a second consecutive session following a sharp escalation in Middle East tensions. The selloff came after Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating the attack targeted Iran’s nuclear program. He also acknowledged that Tehran retains the capacity to retaliate, stoking fears of further regional instability. Geopolitical risks were compounded by continued investor unease over US trade policy. President Donald Trump renewed threats to impose unilateral tariffs in an effort to pressure trading partners into new agreements. Heavyweight stocks led the decline, with Tokyo Electron dropping 5.3%, Disco Corp falling 3.5%, Fast Retailing losing 2.1%, Toyota Motor down 2.6%, and Recruit Holdings shedding 3.6%. Both major indexes are on track to end the week in negative territory.