The key 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell to a fresh 16-month closing low Monday despite a partial recovery from its intraday low.
The Nikkei fell 111.08 points, or 0.7 percent, to 15,727.49, its lowest closing since March 24, 1999.
In contrast, the broader Topix index of all first-section issues turned upward for the first time in three trading days, rising 0.22 point, or 0.02 percent, to 1,453.15