The benchmark Nikkei index plunged over 5 percent to a 20-month low Tuesday, tracking declines on Wall Street that began late last week amid concerns over a slowdown in the world's largest economy, with a strong yen also hurting exporters.
The 225-issue Nikkei average ended down 1,010.45 points, or 5.01 percent, from Friday at 19,155.74, the lowest level since April 2017. The key index fell below the 20,000 line for the first time in 15 months.
Financial markets were closed Monday in Tokyo for a national holiday. The broader Topix index of all first section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 72.64 points, or 4.88 percent, lower at 1,415.55.