Japan's Nikkei slides to one-week low as profit-taking hits tech stocks

Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 3.6% to 69,788.38, closing below the 70,000 mark for the first time in a week, as profit-taking hit AI and tech stocks. SoftBank Group sank 10.1% and memory chipmaker Kioxia slumped 15.1%, while defensive names such as Meiji Holdings gained 3.5%. The pullback came ahead of Micron Technology's earnings and after the Nikkei crossed 72,000 on Monday following a powerful AI-driven rally.