Nikkei drops to 3-1/2-week low, market jittery before Fed outcome

Investors brace for possible tapering of stimulus by Fed

Japan's Nikkei share average fell 1.6% to a 3-1/2-week closing low on Monday, hit by selling in futures and index-heavyweight stocks as investors braced for possible tapering in monetary stimulus by the US Federal Reserve this week.

The Nikkei shed 250.20 points to end at 15,152.91, the lowest closing level since November 20. The Topix shed 1.3% to 1,222.95, with all of its 33 sub-sectors in negative territory.

Investors unloaded their positions in futures and index-heavyweight stocks such as SoftBank Corp, which tumbled 3.2% and was the most traded stock by turnover.

Currency-sensitive stocks also lost ground as the dollar stepped back from a five-year high against the yen. Toyota Motor Corp shed 1.9% and Honda Motor Co fell 2.8%.