Tokyo stocks ended sharply lower on Friday on concerns about slowing semiconductor demand and Israel's apparent air strikes against Iran.

The Nikkei 225 index finished the trading day at 37,068.

That's down 2.6 percent from Thursday's close, and 6.2 percent on the week.

On Friday, the benchmark briefly lost more than 1,300 points, or 3-and-a-half percent.

Investors unloaded shares across the board, with chip-related stocks bearing the brunt of the sales. The selloff followed a comment on Thursday from TSMC, saying it had cut its growth forecast for the semiconductor market.
Broader sell orders then picked up pace following media reports of explosions in central Iran.

Market sources say investors are watching whether the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates.