The Tokyo stock exchange plummeted in early Thursday trading, after the Japanese yen increased in value following an interest rate hike by the country's central bank.
Analysts expect losses on the Japanese market after the strengthening of the currency, since a weak yen benefits Japanese exporters – which has given the Nikkei index a boost in recent years.
By lunchtime, the important Nikkei 225 index had fallen by 2.5 percent, while the broader Topix index had fallen over 3 percent.
The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong was hovering around zero, while the Shenzhen composite index had fallen by 0.5 percent. The Shanghai composite index, on the other hand, was up 0.1 percent.
