日本股市再度大跌

Japanese stocks sustained another day of huge losses Wednesday thanks to investor worries about the financial health of European banks ahead of key congressional testimony by the head of the U.S. central bank.

One day after losing a staggering 918 points, or 5.40 percent, the Nikkei index dropped 372 points, or 2.3 percent, to end the day at 15,713.39, its lowest mark since October 2014. The Nikkei is down just over 10 percent this month, placing the index in "bear market" territory.

Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 dropped just over one percent to close at 4,775.70. Indexes in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul remained closed for the Lunar New Year.

Investors are questioning whether some of Europe's biggest banks have sufficient capital reserves on hand to buffer against a slump in their share prices.

The current state of the U.S. economy, as well as the outlook for interest rate increases, growth and unemployment, are on the agenda Wednesday and Thursday when Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies before key congressional committees.日本股市星期三再度大跌，原因是美国中央银行行长即将在美国国会进行关键作证，投资者担心欧洲银行金融状况不佳。

日经指数星期二猛跌918点，即下跌5.40%。星期三，又再下跌372点，即2.3%，跌到15,713.39点。这是2014年10月以来的最低点。日经指数本月已经下跌10%，进入熊市范围。

澳大利亚股市标普/ ASX 200指数下跌百分之一多一点，收盘时为4,775.70。上海、香港、台北和首尔股市因为农历新年而休市。

投资者对欧洲一些最大的银行是否有足够的资本储备应对股价下跌感到怀疑。

美国联邦储备委员会主席耶林星期三和星期四将在美国国会几个重要委员会作证。国会议员们将提出美国目前经济状况、增加利率的前景、经济增长和失业率等问题。