Tokyo stocks ended 2.77 percent lower in the morning session of Tuesday, with the Nikkei index at times down by more than 500 points on concerns over global economy.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 489.26 points, from Monday to 17,155.85, falling at one point to a roughly nine-month intraday low of 17,052.06, Xinhua reported.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 44.85 points, or 3.12 percent, to 1,393.82.
Every industry category on the main section lost ground, with decliners led by shipping, iron and steel and pharmaceutical issues.