Asian markets drop on new European debt fear

© Scanpix/Reuters

Asian stocks experienced a sharp decline as Italian and Spanish borrowing costs surged; rising concerns among investors that debt crisis might strengthen.  Japan's Nikkei Stock Average lost 0.6%, Hang Seng Index trader 1.1% lower while China's Shanghai Composite fell 0.1%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.4% whereas South Korea's Kospi decreased 0.6%.