TOKYO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly sank over 3 percent Thursday morning as semiconductor-related issues fell following overnight losses by their U.S. counterparts.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 1,954.72 points, or 2.84 percent, from Wednesday to end the morning session at 66,796.79
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, was down 45.74 points, or 1.12 percent, at 4,042.38.
Stocks were weighed down by some heavyweight technology issues, as Nikkei heavyweight Advantest dropped 5.8 percent to 29,695 yen and Tokyo Electron fell 5.8 percent to 69,940 yen. ■
