TOKYO: Tokyo stocks slipped 0.10 per cent after high-stakes debt talks between Greece and its eurozone creditors ended without a deal, raising the possibility the country could leave the eurozone.
The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Tuesday slipped 17.68 points to finish at 17,987.09, while the Topix index of all first-section shares edged up 0.18 per cent, or 2.64 points, to 1,462.07.
The meeting on Monday of eurozone finance ministers broke down after Athens refused demands that it apply for an extension to its bailout. This raised the prospect Greece would run out of cash and default, forcing it to leave the currency bloc.
Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem said the country had the rest of the week to make the request, with its €240 billion ($A350.29 billion) lifeline expiring at the end of the month.
Greece’s new left-led government came to power last month on a platform of overhauling the terms of the austerity-laden financial aid package, which it says has crippled the economy.
However, the 18 other eurozone nations, led by Germany, say any changes must be within the current program.
In forex markets, the breakdown in Greek debt talks weighed on the euro. It sank to $US1.1323 and below Y134 at one point before recovering to $US1.1358 and to Y134.70. US markets were closed on Monday for a public holiday.
The US dollar bought Y118.51 compared with Y118.47 in London late on Monday.
