TOKYO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index plunged more than 3,600 points on Friday, marking its third-largest point drop on record, as artificial intelligence-linked stocks came under heavy selling pressure amid renewed concerns over tighter regulations following the U.S. midterm elections.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 3,643.13 points, or 5.96 percent, from Thursday at 57,434.77, after falling more than 4,300 points at one point during the session.
The broader Topix index also tumbled, shedding 232.40 points, or 5.90 percent, to finish at 3,707.99.
The Nikkei ended at its lowest closing level since mid-April, after briefly plunging more than 7 percent. AI- and semiconductor-related shares led the declines, while selling pressure spread across nearly all stocks on the Prime Market.
Tokyo stocks tracked overnight losses on Wall Street, where technology shares tumbled amid concerns that Democratic gains in the U.S. midterm elections could pave the way for tighter restrictions on data center construction and AI investment.
Concerns over a potential economic slowdown also emerged as a new factor weighing on the market, broadening the sell-off beyond technology stocks, analysts said. ■
