TOKYO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index extended losses in afternoon trading Thursday, plunging more than 5 percent as mounting concerns over the profitability of artificial intelligence (AI) investment triggered a sell-off in AI- and semiconductor-related shares.
As of 12:55 p.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 3,555.14 points, or 5.25 percent, from Wednesday to 64,189.15.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, was down 115.50 points, or 2.82 percent, at 3,981.28.
The plunge came after the Nikkei had shed more than 2,900 points over a five-trading-day losing streak through Wednesday. ■
