Tokyo Stocks Take a Dive

Share prices plunged today on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the dollar rose against the Japanese yen as fears of a Persian Gulf war intensified on the eve of the U.S.-Iraq talks in Geneva.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 838.73 points, or 3.53%, closing at 22,897.84. It fell 332.61 points Monday.

Today’s trading was thin, with first section volume estimated at 230 million shares, up slightly from Monday’s 170 million.

Traders said share prices were lower across the board.

“Because of the growing uncertainties and fears ahead of the U.S.-Iraqi meeting, investors tried to get rid of their issues,” said Masashi Wakabayashi, a trader with Yamaichi Securities Co.