The Nikkei 225 Index edged down by 0.1% to slide below 42,360, while the broader Topix Index decreased by 0.06% to settle at 3,070 on Wednesday. This marked a continuation of losses from the previous session, as investors anticipated Nvidia’s earnings report, which was expected to offer new insights into the viability of the artificial intelligence sector. Additionally, markets were grappling with political uncertainty following the unprecedented removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook by US President Donald Trump, exacerbating concerns about the central bank's independence. On the domestic front, attention turned to upcoming economic data releases scheduled for later in the week, including figures on industrial production, retail sales, and consumer confidence. Among the notable declines, Intertrade Co plummeted 5.4%, Sanrio fell by 1.8%, Nintendo dropped 1.6%, and both Mitsubishi UFJ and Kawasaki Heavy experienced a 0.7% decrease.