TOKYO -- Stocks closed sharply lower across Asia on Friday following an overnight plunge in U.S. stocks, which was sparked by mounting concern about the spread of the new coronavirus and its impact on the global economy.
The Nikkei Stock Average ended down 805.27, or 3.7%, at 21,142.96, marking the fifth consecutive decline. The average lost 2,243 points, or 9.6%, during the holiday-shortened week, the biggest point loss since the week of Oct. 6-10, 2008, when the average shed 2,661 points.
