Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average plunged over 2,200 points Wednesday morning due to heavy selling of semiconductor- and artificial intelligence-related issues. The index of 225 major stocks listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime section finished morning trading down 2,246.50 points, or 3.56 pct, from Monday’s close, at 60,835.36, slipping below 61,000 for the first time since July 29 on an intraday basis. The Tokyo market was closed on Tuesday for a national holiday. Semiconductor test device maker Advantest and other high-priced shares came under particularly heavy selling pressure. Concerns are growing that AI-related capital spending could slow if Democrats win either chamber of the U.S. Congress in the midterm elections, potentially leading to tighter regulation of AI technologies, an official at a major securities house said. About 70 pct of issues on the TSE’s Prime section fell in the morning. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
