U.S. President Donald Trump saying his administration will suspend all travel from Europe, excluding Britain, to the United States, also adding to dour market mood.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average tumbled 1,003.82 points, or 5.17 percent, from Wednesday to 18,412.24.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, plummeted 66.16 points, or 4.78 percent, at 1,318.96.
All industry categories retreated into negative territory, with real estate, precision instrument and marine transportation issues comprising those that declined the most by the morning break.
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