The benchmark Nikkei 225 index sank 7.03 percent, or 2,523.23 points, to 33,386.47, while the broader Topix index lost 7.49 percent, or 190.01 points, to 2,347.59.'Today's Japanese markets are expected to start the day sharply lower due to the weakness in US equities and the strong yen,' said Monex senior market analyst Toshiyuki Kanayama.
5 percent as data showed the US jobs market cooled much more than expected in July.The tech-heavy Nasdaq index closed 2.4 percent down, and chip-maker Intel nosedived more than 25 percent after announcing job cuts.European stock markets also closed sharply in the red.The dollar fetched 145.82 yen in early Asian trade, against 146.52 yen in New York on Friday.