Tokyo stocks fell for the fourth day straight on Thursday, pulling Nikkei index below 22,000 for the first time since October amid concerns about an increase in COVID-19 infections around the world.
Fears that the spreading virus would stall the global economy sent all industrial categories down, led by air transportation, securities house and mining issues.
The 225-issue Nikkei average ended down 477.96 points, or 2.13 percent, from Wednesday at 21,948.23 — its lowest finish since Oct. 11.