TOKYO, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index briefly tumbled over 3 percent on Friday morning, on higher crude oil prices as well as rises in bond yields fueled by inflation concerns.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged over 2,000 points at one point in early trading.
The benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures price has climbed above the psychologically significant 100 U.S. dollars-per-barrel mark.
Inflation concerns stemming from higher oil prices and growing rate hike speculation led to rises in Japanese bond yields, weighing on sentiment in the Tokyo stock market, analysts said. ■