Japan's Nikkei average lost 1.3 per cent today as debt problems in Greece and Dubai dampened investor confidence and pushed up the yen, which weighed on Honda Motor Co and other exporters.
But Suzuki Motor Corp climbed 3.5 per cent after sources told Reuters that Volkswagen AG plans to take a stake of up to 20 per cent in it, providing Suzuki with a much-needed development partner and giving VW access to better small-car technology.
The benchmark Nikkei shed 135.75 points to 10,004.72, after rising more than 10 per cent last week.
The broader Topix fell 1.3 per cent to 884.94.
Reuters