Asia stocks fall as fighting in Ukraine reaches nuclear plant

Japan's Nikkei down 2.23% as markets in South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore drop

The Nikkei 225 fell 2.4% in the first hour of morning trading on March 4. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama)

FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer

March 4, 2022 10:29 JST

Updated on March 4, 2022 16:45 JST

TOKYO -- Asian shares fell broadly on Friday as a fire during Russian shelling of a nuclear power plant in Ukraine stoked fears of a radiation leak.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 closed 2.23% lower after skidding as much as 2.8% during morning trading, while South Korea's Kospi declined 1.22% in afternoon trading. Elsewhere, Singapore stocks skidded 4.7%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 2.75% and shares in Taiwan declined 1.1%.