Nikkei hits 2-week low after U.S. data

Japan's Nikkei average fell 2.6 percent after earlier hitting its lowest point in two weeks on Thursday as exporters slid on a firmer yen and renewed concerns about the U.S. economy, while Nikon Corp tumbled after it forecast its first annual operating loss in 11 years.

The benchmark Nikkei shed 237.90 points to 9,102.59, after briefly touching its lowest since May 1.

It gained 0.5 percent the previous day to inch back toward a six-month closing high struck earlier in the week.

The broader Topix slid 2.5 percent to 866.30.

(Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)