Tokyo Stocks Plunge 3.82%

Share prices plummeted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange today, with the key Nikkei Stock Average falling 3.82%.

The 225-issue Nikkei lost 932.53 points to move to 23,433.04 by the close of morning trading. The index fell 531.865 points, or 2.13%, on Monday.

Stock traders said high oil prices, rising interest rates and pessimism over the situation in the Middle East discouraged investors.

Falling prices on the bond market also pushed the market down, they said.