Mumbai, Jan. 21 -- Japanese markets ended lower amid worries about the country's bond market after a selloff pushed yields to all-time highs.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama called for market participants to "calm down" and defended the government's fiscal approach in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

The Nikkei average dropped 0.41 percent to 52,774.64, extending losses for a fifth straight session. The broader Topix index settled 0.99 percent lower at 3,589.70, with financials leading losses.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Capital Market....