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TOKYO, May 23 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei stock average

tumbled 3.7 percent on Thursday, in a dramatic turnaround from a

5-1/2-year high hit in morning trade and was on track for its

biggest daily drop in two years, as weak Chinese factory

activity data rattled investors.

The sharp turnover in the Japanese stock market prompted

investors to seek safety in government bonds, with the 10-year

JGB yield down 0.5 basis point at 0.880 percent.

The benchmark yield was up at 1.00 percent earlier in the day.

The Nikkei was down 572.48 points at 15,054.80 after hitting

a low of 14,945.56. The broader Topix index dropped 4

percent to 1,225.18.