In brief
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index plunged 3,643.13 points, a 5.96% loss, on Friday as AI‑associated stocks were hammered by fears of tougher U.S. regulations and an economic slowdown. The drop marked the third‑largest point decline in Nikkei history and was mirrored by the Topix index, which fell 5.90%. A competing AP report cited an even steeper 6.1% fall to 57,332.92 points, underscoring uncertainty in the market data.
Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 3,643.13 points, or 5.96%, on Friday, according to Xinhua. The drop, the third‑largest point loss in the index’s history, brought the indicator to its lowest close since mid‑April after a brief plunge of more than 7% early in the session.
Xinhua noted that the sell‑off was driven mainly by AI‑related and semiconductor shares, and that worries over tighter U.S. regulations following the midterm elections, as well as concerns about a potential economic slowdown, broadened the downturn beyond technology stocks.
The Topix index, covering Japan’s broader Prime Market, also slid 5.90%, ending at 3,707.99 after shedding 232.40 points.
In contrast, an Associated Press report from the same day recorded an even sharper decline, saying the Nikkei slipped 6.1% to 57,332.92 points. The AP story also highlighted similar fears of stricter data‑center and AI‑investment limits.
Social media posts from a Facebook account tied to the Financial Times cited a 4.4% fall in the Nikkei as the AI and semiconductor slump accelerated, and listed comparable drops in the Korean KOSPI and Shanghai Composite.
Bass‑washers on the Wall Street AI rout were mirrored in Asian shares, according to press releases from the AP and Xinhua, reinforcing the narrative that global tech stocks were under pressure from both regulatory and macro‑economic headwinds.
