Nikkei Plunges Over 4% as Asian Stocks Follow US Tech Sell-Off

Asian equities sold off on the last trading day of the week, mirroring the sharp decline in US technology stocks from Thursday. Japan's Nikkei index led the losses, plunging more than 4% as investors dumped risk assets. The sell-off in the US was driven by a rout in semiconductor and chip-related shares, which extended their recent slump. Other Asian markets also traded lower, though the Nikkei was the hardest hit. The moves come amid renewed concerns over high valuations in the tech sector and uncertainty over interest rate outlooks.