JAPAN STOCKS: Japanese shares have widened losses in the final hour, weighed by a stronger yen and weak US economic data, with steelmakers and financials dragging the benchmark lower. Nisshin Steel Co Ltd (5407) is slumping 7.61%, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings (8309) is sliding 6.67%, while MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings (8725) is tumbling 5.91%. Among the advancers, petrol firm Inpex Corp (1605) is rising 1.57%, while Uniqlo-brand clothing chain store operator Fast Retailing (9983) is adding 1.32%. The Nikkei share average is now lower 1.33%.