Asian stock markets tumbled across the board Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index dropped 3.72 percent , to close at 9,300.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng plunged 4.29 percent , to end at 20,946.

Elsewhere, share prices dropped in Shanghai, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. Markets also fell in Jakarta, Wellington, Manila, Taipei and Seoul.

The U.S. dollar was quoted at 78.49 yen, down four-tenths of a yen from late Thursday.

Gold was trading at $1,665.70 an ounce.