TOKYO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index extended losses Friday afternoon, plunging over 5 percent, amid overheating concerns over semiconductor-related shares.
As of 1:30 p.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 3,777.62 points, or 5.65 percent, from Thursday to 63,057.92.
The benchmark index declined from the outset, weighed down by chip-related shares tracking overnight Wall Street losses amid overheating concerns, analysts said. ■