Asian stocks down on Europe's debt worries

Asian stock markets fell in early trading Thursday as massive street protests against austerity measures across Europe raised concern over the region's ability to slash debt.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average lost 15.04 points, or 0.2 percent, to 9,544.34. Sentiment in Tokyo was also sluggish as Japan's industrial production fell for the third straight month in August.

South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.1 percent to 1,864.85. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.6 percent at 4,668.00.

Tens of thousands of workers marched through the streets of Europe on Wednesday, decrying the loss of jobs and benefits they fear will come with stinging austerity measures seeking to contain government debt.

Unions claimed a crowd of 100,000 marched on European Union headquarters in Brussels.

The massive street protests raised worries that European countries including heavily indebted nations like Ireland, Greece and Spain may not be able to implement tough deficit-cutting measures.

Concerns over Europe's debt problems dampened sentiment on Wall Street as the Dow Jones industrial average fell 22.86 points, or 0.2 percent, to 10,835.28 Wednesday.