Japan's Nikkei index fell for a seventh straight session on Wednesday, pressured by the yen's rise to its highest level against the dollar since the beginning of this year.
The Nikkei index closed down 1.5 percent at 35,619.77, after falling more than 2 percent earlier in the day, approaching its lowest level in a month, which was recorded on Monday at 35,247.87.
The broader Topix index lost 1.8 percent to close at 2,530.67 points.
The dollar fell 1.24 percent to 140.71 yen, a level not seen since Dec. 28, before trading at 141.16 yen by 0547 GMT.
Shares of companies that export their products abroad are usually hurt by a strong yen because it reduces the value of profits made in foreign markets when converted into the local currency.
Shares of exporting companies, especially automakers, fell, with Toyota Motor Corp down 3.1 percent, Subaru Corp down more than 4 percent and Honda Motor Co down 3 percent.
Energy-related stocks fell after oil prices hit three-year lows on Tuesday on demand concerns.
Tokyo Gas fell 5.6 percent and Osaka Gas fell 5.1 percent.
Fast Retailing fell 1.7 percent, chipmaker Advantest fell 2.3 percent and chipmaker Tokyo Electron fell 0.2 percent.
Shares of Sony, a technology and entertainment conglomerate, fell 0.3 percent.
