TOKYO - The Nikkei stock index fell over 3 percent Thursday morning, as semiconductor-related shares declined following overnight losses by their U.S. counterparts and gains were locked in after a two-day winning streak.

At 9:48 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 2,157.91 points, or 3.14 percent, from Wednesday to 66,593.60.