TOKYO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower on Tuesday, weighed down by further gains in crude oil prices as concerns remained strong over oil supply risks amid Middle East tensions.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 822.13 points, or 1.58 percent, from Monday at 51,063.72.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 44.48 points, or 1.26 percent, lower at 3,497.86.
On the stock market, the benchmark Nikkei index briefly lost over 1,300 points, after U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures extended gains to settle at 102.88 U.S. dollars per barrel in New York, the highest level since July 2022, brokers said. ■
