Markets in Asia-Pacific dropped sharply in Wednesday's afternoon trading after the United States presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Investors also digested hints by Bank of Japan board member Junko Nakagawa that the bank could further hike rates if needed and awaited US inflation figures due later in the day.
Japan's Nikkei 225 plunged 1.57% at 6:58 am CET. The dollar slid 0.96% against the yen, selling for 141.0955 at 6:59 am CET.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng plummeted 1.39% at 7:01 am CET. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.97% at 7:00 am CET and the Shenzhen Composite declined 0.11% at 7:03 am CET.
South Korea's Kospi lost 0.56% at 6:59 am CET and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.41% at the same time.