Asia markets face volatility from semiconductor sector weakness, Middle East tensions, and Japanese seismic impact

Asian equity markets are under pressure due to sustained sell-offs in the South Korean and Japanese semiconductor sectors, compounded by escalating kinetic activity in the Middle East and the economic fallout from recent seismic events in Japan. Investors are adopting a cautious stance ahead of a heavy week of central bank decisions from the FOMC, BOE, and BOJ, alongside high-profile earnings from Meta and Microsoft.