The Nikkei average fell 0.94 percent on Thursday as investors dumped stocks amid persistent worries about higher U.S. interest rates and anti-Japan protests in China. The Nikkei (N225) closed down 104.19 points at 10,984.39 after hitting 10,770.58, its lowest intraday level since Dec. 10. The broader TOPIX index (TOPX) ended down 0.73 percent at 1,123.32. Traders said the Nikkei was supported around 10,750 yen, a level last seen in December and seen by market players as a key point, and that helped prevent it from slipping further.