Tokyo shares ended the morning session sharply lower on Monday as sentiment here was punched by continued tumbling of oil prices, as well as a stronger yen that hit export-oriented issues.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 473.16 points, or 2.46 percent from Friday at 18,757.32, Xinhua reported.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 33.34 points, or 2.15 percent, at 1,516.17.