Tokyo stocks dropped sharply Thursday morning, led by selling of technology shares as Wall Street losses on rising U.S. long-term yields stirred concerns about higher borrowing costs in the world's largest economy.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 595.26 points, or 1.86 percent, from Wednesday to 31,446.99. The broader Topix index was down 33.38 points, or 1.45 percent, at 2,261.96.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by precision instrument, air transportation and wholesale trade issues.
The benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond hit 0.825 percent, its highest level since August 2013, as bonds were sold after gains in U.S. interest rates. Bond yields move inversely to prices.