TOKYO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Japanese shares fell on Wednesday for the third consecutive session, pulled down by worries that surging coronavirus cases in Europe and the United States could further damage an already-battered global economy.
Also, trading was subdued as the upcoming U.S. presidential elections kept many investors on the sidelines, analysts said.
The benchmark Nikkei share average .N225 fell 0.29% to close at 23,418.51, while the broader Topix .TOPX lost 0.31% to 1,612.55.
All but six of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange traded lower, with miners .IMING.T , iron and steel .ISTEL.T and insurers .IINSU.T leading declines.
The local market tracked the overnight weakness in U.S. stocks on rising coronavirus infections and as U.S. lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement on a stimulus package, said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management in Tokyo.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged on Tuesday a coronavirus economic relief deal would likely come after the Nov. 3 election. near 0.4% decline in U.S. stock futures also weighed on Japanese stocks.
However, the market got some support from upbeat earnings reports, with Shimano Inc 7309.T soaring 17% after the bicycle parts maker upgraded its forecast for annual operating profit. index of insurers .IINSU.T , who rely on foreign bonds for income, dipped more than 2.8% after U.S. Treasury yields declined overnight on dwindling hopes for a U.S. stimulus deal.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings 8750.T fell 2.7% and T&D Holdings 8795.T dropped 2.8%, while Tokio Marine Holdings 8766.T slipped around 3.5%.
Shares of ANA Holdings 9202.T closed 0.35% higher, after rising as much as 4%, after the airline operator on Tuesday unveiled its restructuring plans and forecast a record operating loss of 505 billion yen for the year to March. retailer Otsuka Kagu Ltd 8186.T jumped 33.1% to hit its daily limit after the company said its president would be stepping down.