TOKYO, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index fell more than 3 percent on Tuesday, pressured by heavyweight technology issues and concerns about worsening Japan-China relations.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 1,620.93 points, or 3.22 percent, from Monday at 48,702.98, marking the biggest percentage drop since April 9 when the index fell 3.93 percent.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 96.43 points, or 2.88 percent, lower at 3,251.10.
The Tokyo market was weighed down by selling of heavyweights chip-related stocks following overnight declines in their U.S. counterparts as fears of a slowing U.S. economy grew after Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said Monday he sees risks to the labor market, analysts said.
Meanwhile, tourism-related stocks, such as Mitsukoshi Isetan, Takashimaya, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Imperial Hotel, mostly continued to slide due to investor concerns about prolonged tensions between Japan and China. ■
