<h1>Asian stocks plunged as AI-linked and semiconductor losses, US jobs data and regional tensions drove broad market volatility.</h1> Asian equity benchmarks fell sharply as concentrated losses in AI-linked and semiconductor stocks produced violent intraday reversals; declines were broad-based across Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China, Australia and Taiwan. Strong U.S. jobs data raised the likelihood of delayed rate cuts, while Japanese fiscal spending plans, trade shifts and regional geopolitical friction added to bond, currency and export pressures, amplifying market volatility.