Tokyo's benchmark stock index dropped 2.98 percent on Friday, piling up its fourth day of losses as fears about the health of the global economy pounded equity markets.

The Nikkei 225 at the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 597.69 points to finish at 19,435.83, while the broader Topix index of all first-section shares was down 3.13 percent, or 50.87 points, to 1,573.01.