Asia shares in fragile mood, Nikkei tests support

Asian markets were in skittish mood on Thursday following a late dip on Wall Street, with Tokyo stocks slipping as investors counted down to a rise in sales tax that is expected to swat consumer spending and test the market's faith in Abenomics. The sales tax rises to 8 percent from 5 percent on April 1, which is also the start of the new financial year in Japan. Some blamed Wall Street's slip on news the United States and the European Union had agreed to work together to prepare possible tougher economic sanctions in response to Russia's behavior in Ukraine. Shares in Citigroup Inc (C.N) fell after hours when the Federal Reserve rejected its plans to buy back $6.4 billion of stock and boost its dividends, citing deficiencies in the bank's ability to plan for stressful situations.

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