The Nikkei index tumbled over 2 percent early Thursday on selling spurred by overnight losses on Wall Street and concern over the recent upward trend in Japanese long-term interest rates.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 789.60 points, or 2.05 percent, from Wednesday to 37,767.27. The broader Topix index was down 41.69 points, or 1.52 percent, at 2,699.93.
Every industry category on the top-tier Prime Market lost ground, led by mining, wholesale trade and nonferrous metal issues.
