The Nikkei stock average plunged nearly 4 percent on Thursday, posting its biggest one-day loss since March.

Stock markets in other parts of Asia also tumbled, after Wall Street's worst losses in eight months led to broader risk aversion, a rise in market volatility gauges and concerns over overvalued stock markets in an environment of rapidly rising dollar yields.

The Nikkei 225 stock average ended down 915.18 points, or 3.89 percent, from Wednesday at 22,590.86. The broader Topix index of all first-section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 62.00 points, or 3.52 percent, lower at 1,701.86.