TOKYO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks plunged Friday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly falling over 6 percent, as investors accelerated selling amid overheating concerns over semiconductor-related shares.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 2,694.42 points, or 4.03 percent, from Thursday at 64,141.12.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 109.58 points, or 2.72 percent, lower at 3,919.21.
On the stock market, sentiment was dampened as investors offloaded AI and chip-related shares on concerns about earnings, dealers said.
The benchmark index lost 4,130 points at one stage, its third-biggest intraday drop on record. ■