Japan's Nikkei index fell sharply on Thursday, December 7, after Wall Street fell overnight before the release of key jobs data that would provide clues to how quickly the US Federal Reserve may begin cutting interest rates.
The Nikkei Nikkei fell 1.76% to 32,858.31 points at close, with 189 of the 225 stocks listed on it declining, and 36 stocks rising.
This erased most of the index's recovery, which it recorded yesterday, Wednesday, by more than two percent from the lowest level in three weeks.
Thursday's decline returned the Nikkei index to the track of recording its worst weekly performance since mid-October, down 1.72% so far.
The broader Topix index fell 1.14%, heading for a 0.95% decline for this week, which may also be the worst performance since mid-October.
The energy sector recorded the largest losses among the sub-sectors on the Nikkei index after crude oil fell to its lowest level in six months.
Shares of chip-related companies also recorded notable declines, and two of them put significant pressure on the Nikkei index, among the three stocks that contributed most to its decline.
