Nikkei falls to 6-week low on strong yen; Honda tumbles

Japan's Nikkei fell to its lowest level in more than a month on Tuesday as a strong yen soured the sentiment, while the shares of Honda tumbled after it said an airbag made by Takata Corp had ruptured in one of its cars in Japan.

The Nikkei share average ended 1.5 per cent lower at 18,813.53, the weakest closing level since December 8.

Honda Motor Co skidded 2.7 per cent after it said the passenger-side air bag of one of its Fit compact multi-purpose vehicles ruptured late last month, resulting in a minor injury to the car's driver.

Investors were also bracing for a speech by UK PrimeMinister Theresa May later in the global session as well as Friday's inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

The broader Topix shed 1.4 per cent to 1,509.10, while the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 declined 1.5 per cent to 13,516.30.