A businessman passes before a share prices board in Tokyo. Japan’s share prices fell 724.79 points at the closing yesterday following lower Chinese stocks as disappointing manufacturing data gave further indications of a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy.

AFP/Tokyo

Asian stocks sank yesterday after more data showed weakness in China’s economy, while gold and the yen advanced as investors fled to safer assets.
The Tokyo bourse, which shed almost 4%, was the biggest loser in the region, providing a lead for the major European markets, which opened sharply down.
Uncertainty over interest rates in the US was also unsettling traders ahead of a closely watched jobs report due later in the week.
A rate rise could further jolt global confidence, which has already been buffeted by a slowdown in China’s economy that has also hammered the country’s stock markets.
“Investors are concerned about the strength of the global economy, which is why you’re seeing a sell-off in various stock markets,” said Ayako Sera, a strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd in Tokyo.
The Shanghai market ended down 1.23% at 3,166.62 – having dived more than four% at one point - after China’s statistics bureau said its Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of manufacturing activity came in at 49.7 last month, its lowest for three years.
A rating over 50 indicates expansion, under denotes contraction.
Tokyo dived 3.84% to 18,165.69, with a stronger yen hitting exporters. Sydney fell 2.12% to 5,096.4 and Seoul gave up 1.40% to close at 1,914.23.
Hong Kong ended 2.24% down at 21185.43.
And in early European trade London was 2.4% lower, Paris shed 2.5% and Frankfurt sank 2.6%.
“The manufacturing index still shows that the economy is in the process of seeking a bottom,” said Wu Kan, a Shanghai-based fund manager at JK Life Insurance.
“The market is unlikely to pick up any time soon.”
China’s stock markets have slumped 40% since hitting a June 12 peak, with investors concerned about high valuations and the underlying strength of the world’s number two economy.
The seeming inability of Communist Party leaders to stem the crisis—five interest rate cuts since November have not staunched the sell-off—has raised wider fears about their ability effectively to manage China’s transition from low- to middle-income economy.
In the latest bid to avert further losses, Beijing urged listed companies to merge and restructure. Authorities will strongly encourage tie-ups to help push reform of state companies and inject vitality into the economy, a joint statement released by four government agencies said late Monday.
The notice also stressed measures to underpin the stock market, including encouraging firms to pay cash dividends, encouraging investors to hold stock for the long term, and urging companies to buy back their own stock—measures that should boost prices.
Volatility in China and other emerging markets has pushed up the price of investments considered safe, including the yen and bullion.
On Tuesday the dollar fell to ¥120 from ¥121.24 in New York trade Monday, while gold traded at $1,143.20, against $1,131.62 late Monday.
Oil prices fell in Asia after recording gains of more than 25% over the previous three sessions.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery fell $2.00, or four%, to $47.20 and Brent crude for October dropped $2.27, or 4.2%, to $51.88 a barrel.
The commodity surged Monday after the US Department of Energy said domestic output in June was much lower than first stated, while monthly estimates for January-May were revised lower.
Also, a statement from the Opec—to the effect that the continuing downward pressure on prices “remains a cause for concern”—fuelled hopes it will cut its own output levels.
Among other Asian stock markets, Wellington dipped 0.02% to 5,654.99 and Taipei sank 1.92% to 8,017.56, while Manila was 0.17% lower at 7,086.86.
Bangkok slipped 1.45% to 1,362.39, Singapore fell 1.32% to 2,882.77 and Jakarta also ended down 2.15% at 4,412.46.