Asian stocks fall as Paris attacks sends economic worries

TOKYO — Asian stocks fell, opening the global trading day Monday after terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday last week sent worries across the world about their possible economic effects. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 cascaded downward 0.8 percent to 19,443.68 in morning trading. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost nearly 0.7 percent to 5,017.30. South Korea’s Kospi was down nearly 1 percent at 1,954.47. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.7 percent to 22,013.34 while the Shanghai Composite slipped 1.6 percent to 3,522.46. Taiwan shares were also down. The attacks left 129 people dead and more than 350 injured. Investors, already nervous about slowing growth in China and the future of the eurozone, are fretting about stocks and oil prices. Travel could slow not only to Paris but other major cities, hurting airlines and other related businesses. A decline in tourism in Europe could weaken the euro.