The Nikkei average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange plummeted Monday to a new postbubble low as ambiguities in last Friday's deal on financial stabilization measures between leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition camp ignited disappointment among market traders.
The key index closed the day at 13,597.30, down 385.82 points from Friday.
The International Monetary Fund later Monday issued a report urging Japan to aggressively use public funds to bolster the capital of ailing major commercial banks.