TOKYO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index extended its losses on Wednesday afternoon, falling more than 4 percent, as investors reacted to media projections that Democrats had regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the midterm elections.
At 1:20 p.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average stood at 60,364.56, down 2,717.30 points, or 4.31 percent, from Monday's close.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, fell 135.19 points, or 3.44 percent, to 3,795.59.
Artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related stocks came under heavy selling pressure as investors grew concerned that a Democratic victory could lead to tighter regulation of the AI industry, analysts said. ■