Tokyo, Nov. 6 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average briefly lost more than 4,300 points Friday morning as artificial intelligence-related shares were dumped amid concerns that AI regulations may be tightened in the United States. The index of 225 major issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime section ended the morning session at 57,858.61, down 3,219.29 points, or 5.27 pct, from Thursday’s close. It temporarily slipped below 57,000 for the first time since April 13 on an intraday basis. “Investors’ sentiment is deteriorating because of uncertainty over AI-related regulations,” an official of a major securities house said. Of the Prime-listed stocks, 98 pct finished the morning lower as selling also spread to names not related to AI. Shares of companies tied to capital investment in AI data centers, including semiconductor-manufacturing equipment makers and electronic component suppliers, plunged from the outset of trading in Tokyo, dragging down the Nikkei average. AI stock sell-offs intensified globally from Wednesday after the Democratic Party made major gains in the U.S. midterm elections, raising concerns about tighter regulations on the construction of AI data centers and related facilities. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index sank 12 pct on Thursday. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
