TOKYO, July 16, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Stocks in Asia fell sharply in early trade Thursday on the back of concerns about overvaluations of technology shares and ongoing violence in the Middle East.

Japan's Nikkei 225 was 3.16 percent lower at 66,579.31 points, while the Kospi in South Korea was down 6.21 percent at 6,831.80. Oil prices inched higher, with WTI up 0.64 percent at $80.11 per barrel and Brent Crude 0.41 percent higher at $85.36.