Tokyo shares ended the morning session sharply lower on Tuesday with its benchmark Nikkei index sinking below the 16,000 line amid concerns of the upcoming Britain referendum over its membership of the European Union.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 200.29 points, or 1.25 percent, from Monday to 15,818.89.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 16.19 points, or 1.26 percent, to 1, 268.35.
Latest comments