Tokyo: Japan's Nikkei index today declined for the third consecutive day, as geopolitical tensions over Greenland prompted traders to turn to the yen as a safe haven, and the market was affected by economic data that came in below forecasts. The Nikkei fell 0.6 percent to close at 53,583.57 points, while the broader Topix index fell 0.1 percent to 3,656.40 points. Eighty-nine stocks on the Nikkei rose, while 133 stocks fell.

According to Oman News Agency, Sumitomo Pharma, which dropped 13 percent, was the biggest loser on the index, followed by Toyota Tsusho, down 4.1 percent. By contrast, shares of retail company Aeon were the biggest gainers on the index, rising 6.7 percent, followed by shares of food additives maker Ajinomoto, which rose 6.1 percent.