Japanese financial markets | technology

Asian equity markets followed Wall Street lower after higher-than-expected US inflation dashed hopes that the Federal Reserve could ease further rate hikes. Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney declined. Oil edges higher. The S&P 500, Wall Street’s benchmark, fell 4.1% this week after government data showed inflation remained near a four-decade high in August despite rate hikes to slow the economy. US government data showed that jobless claims fell last week while consumer sales rose in August. That gives ammunition to Federal Reserve officials, who say the economy can tolerate higher interest rates.