TOKYO, April 4 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index tumbled for a second straight day to a new eight-month low Friday amid heightening global fears of an economic slowdown triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff measures, Kyodo News Agency reported.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 955.35 points, or 2.75 per cent, from Thursday at 33,780.58, its lowest closing since Aug 5.
The broader Topix index finished 86.55 points, or 3.37 per cent, lower at 2,482.06.
Most industry sectors lost ground on the top-tier Prime Market, with decliners led by bank, nonferrous metal, and oil and coal product issues.
The US dollar briefly weakened to the lower 145 yen range in Tokyo, as the yen, seen as a safe-haven asset, was sought amid concern about a trade war, dealers said.
On the bond market, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond briefly declined to 1.180 per cent, its lowest in about two months, as investors continued to shift away from riskier assets.
On the stock market, the Nikkei briefly lost over 1,400 points after the US Dow Jones index marked its worst one-day loss since June 2020 amid concern that some US trading partners would adopt retaliatory steps and ignite a trade war.
"Selling was further spurred as investors felt it would not be very easy for the administration of President Trump to reduce tariff rates," said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Co.
-- BERNAMA-KYODO
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