Tokyo (AFP) – Tokyo’s Nikkei index dropped more than three percent shortly after the open on Tuesday, with investors discouraged by a plunge in US shares on fears over demand in the tech sector.

The Nikkei 225 index was down 3.47 percent, or 771.92 points, at 21,497.96 in early trade, while the broader Topix index was down 3.06 or 51.09 points at 1,620.86.