Japan's Nikkei share average tumbled to four-and-a-month lows on Thursday hit by deepening worries about weak global growth, lifting the safe-haven yen and dragging down exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 dumped 335.14 points, or 2.2%, to 14,738.38, its lowest closing level since May 30.
Hong Kong shares finished lower on Thursday on worries over slowing global growth prompted by a slew of weak U.S. economic data, but losses were limited by a more positive outlook on China.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index let go of 239.11 points, or 1%, to 22,900.94
Exporters were battered, with Toyota falling 1.9%, Honda sinking 3.9% and Panasonic Corp shedding 3.6%.
Fujifilm Holdings Corp and other Ebola-related stocks jumped on speculation over which companies would generate higher returns from fears of deadly virus Ebola intensifying in the United States.
Fujifilm gained 1.8% and industrial air purifier maker Airtech Japan Ltd jumped 27%.
Speaking of Hong Kong, some analysts said better-than-expected money supply and lending data from the mainland as well as the approaching announcement of the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock connector launch date dampened the negative impact of weaker overseas markets.
Chinese sportswear maker Anta posted its biggest single-day drop of 10.9 percent after major shareholders planned to seek HK$1.14 billion ($146.96 million U.S.) worth of existing shares.
In other markets;
Shanghai’s CSI 300 index discarded 19.48 points, or 0.8%, to 2,444.40
The Taiex index in Taiwan dropped 21.82 points, or 0.3%, to 8,633.69
Korea’s Kospi index skidded 7.08 points, or 0.4%, to 1,918.83.
In Singapore, the Straits Times STI index dipped 44.51 points, or 1.4%, to 3,154.21
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 lost 30.85 points, or 0.6%, to 5,132.02
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 eked up 9.28 points, or 0.2%, to 5,254.89
