Japanese shares plunge over two percent

Japanese shares ended the morning session sharply lower on Tuesday with the Nikkei index plunging over two percent on declining oil prices and poor performances in other stock markets.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average tumbled 375.40 points, or 2.12 percent, from Friday to 17,322.56, Xinhua news agency reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 34.15 points, or 2.36 percent, to 1,413.17.

Tokyo markets were closed Monday for a national holiday.