Tokyo, Nov. 6 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average briefly lost more than 4,100 points Friday morning as artificial intelligence-related shares came under heavy selling amid concerns over stricter regulations on AI in the United States. At 9:25 a.m., the index of 225 major issues listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime section stood at 56,971.00, down 4,106.90 points, or 6.72 pct, from Thursday’s close. It slipped below 57,000 for the first time since April 13 on an intraday basis. 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. Selling in AI-related stocks has intensified globally since 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.]
