Nikkei tumbles 3% on US losses, plunging oil prices

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average plummeted 3 per cent Tuesday for the fourth straight trading day of decline following heavy overnight losses on Wall Street, dpa reported.
The Nikkei lost 525.52 points, or 3.02 per cent, to end at 16,883.19, the lowest level since December 17.
The broader-based Topix index was down 39.95 points, or 2.85 per cent, at 1361.14.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.86 per cent Monday after oil prices plunged temporarily to below 50 dollars a barrel, a 50-per-cent price fall since June.
On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the dollar traded at 118.95-96 yen, down from Monday's 5 pm quote of 120.38-39 yen.
The euro was quoted at 142.23-25 yen, down from 143.91-95 yen late Monday.