(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 30 mar - Japanese shares closed sharply lower, as escalating conflict in the Middle East and a surge in crude oil prices triggered a broad retreat across global markets.

Investors are increasingly concerned by the ongoing war in Iran and the involvement of Houthi militants, which has sent Brent crude climbing toward 116 dollars a barrel and prompted Japan to prepare a release from its strategic oil reserves.

The market also faced pressure from a weakening yen and rising government bond yields, fueling expectations that the Bank of Japan could implement an interest rate hike as soon as next month.

Losses were led by electronics and tech stocks, as the Nikkei.

225 closed down 2.79% at 51,885.85 points.

(RADIOCOR) 30-03-26 09:04:49 (0114) 5 NNNN