Japanese equities extended previous losses on Wednesday after disappointing Japan's trade balance data. The trade deficit reached JPY517.4 billion in July, up from JPY60.3 billion in June. A sharp drop in exports was the major contributor to an increase in trade deficit. The Nikkei 225 Index tumbled by 0.38% to trade at 9131.74. Only three in ten industries included in the index rose. Health care, consumer services and telecommunications posted gains. Astellas Pharma and Eisai went up 1.29% and 0.55%. Among telecommunications, KDDI, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone and Softbank climbed 0.18%, 0.13% and 0.16%, respectively. On the downside were technology and oil and gas companies. Konami and Trend Macro sank 1.01% and 0.36% while Inpex and JX Holding dropped by 0.21% and 0.73%. Meanwhile, Kyocera also was bearish, falling by 1.16% amid weak iron-ore prices.