TOKYO -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average recorded its worst-ever daily sell-off on Monday, losing 4,451.28 points from the previous day's closing amid panic selling triggered by fears of a possible U.S. recession and the yen's strength.
The average closed down 12.4% to 31,458.42. By percent, it was the second-largest fall since the Black Monday crash of October 1987, when the index lost 3,836.48 points (14.9%).