emirates7 - The Nikkei stock index fell over 3 percent Thursday morning, as semiconductor-related shares declined following overnight losses by their US counterparts and gains were locked in after a two-day winning streak, Kyodo News reported.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 1,954.72 points, or 2.84 percent, from Wednesday to 66,796.79. The broader Topix index was down 45.74 points, or 1.12 percent, at 4,042.38.