TOKYO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index plunged 6 percent early Monday, after crude oil futures surged to their highest levels since 2022 amid the conflict in the Middle East.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 3,382.63 points, or 6.08 percent, from Friday to 52,238.21.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, plunged 184.75 points, or 4.97 percent, to 3,532.18. ■