TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index tumbled for a second straight day to a new eight-month low Friday amid heightening global fears of an economic slowdown triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 955.35 points, or 2.75 percent, from Thursday at 33,780.58, its lowest closing since Aug. 5. The broader Topix index finished 86.55 points, or 3.37 percent, lower at 2,482.06.

Most industry sectors lost ground on the top-tier Prime Market, with decliners led by bank, nonferrous metal, and oil and coal product issues.

The U.S. dollar briefly weakened to the lower 145 yen range in Tokyo, as the yen, seen as a safe-haven asset, was sought amid concern about a trade war, dealers said.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 146.27-29 yen compared with 146.05-15 yen in New York and 147.24-27 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The euro was quoted at $1.1004-1006 and 160.96-161.00 yen against $1.1045-1055 and 161.18-28 yen in New York and $1.0970-0972 and 161.54-58 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

On the bond market, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond declined 0.200 percentage point to 1.160 percent, its lowest level in about three months, as investors continued to buy the safe-haven debt in a shift away from riskier assets.

On the stock market, the Nikkei briefly lost over 1,400 points after the U.S. Dow Jones index marked its worst one-day loss since June 2020 amid concern that some U.S. trading partners would adopt retaliatory steps and ignite a trade war.

The benchmark index has lost more than 1,900 points over the two days after Trump said all countries will face a baseline duty of 10 percent, with Japan being slapped with a higher rate of 24 percent.

"Selling was further spurred as investors felt it would not be very easy for the administration of President Trump to reduce tariff rates," said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Co.

Export-related auto and electronics issues dropped due to the yen's appreciation that reduces exporters' overseas earnings when repatriated.

Bank shares were also sold heavily on concern about deteriorating profits amid a sharp decline in long-term interest rates, as speculation grew that the Bank of Japan would find it challenging to keep tightening monetary policy.

Investors were also cautious ahead of the release later in the day of U.S. employment data amid fears of an economic slump accompanied by high inflation in the world's largest economy, brokers said.

Meanwhile, Maki Sawada, a strategist at the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co., said the market could stabilize in the future, as U.S. trading partners are expected to begin negotiations with Washington.

"Although (the U.S. administration) has been adopting a hard-line stance over the tariff policy, high levy rates could be reduced depending on its talks with each country," she said.