Japan's Nikkei 225 share index experienced a significant drop of nearly 13% amid concerns over the state of the U.S. economy, prompting investors to offload a wide array of shares. The index plummeted by 12.9% to 31,290.63 during Monday's midafternoon trading session in Tokyo, following a 5.8% decline on the previous Friday. This downturn marks a potential record for the Nikkei, as it is on track for its worst two-day decline in history.
The Nikkei index has witnessed notable single-day plunges in the past, with the most severe being a 14.9% drop, equivalent to 3,836 points, on the infamous 'Black Monday' in October 1987. Other significant declines include an 11.4% fall during the 2008 global financial crisis and a 10.6% dip in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes and nuclear disasters in northeastern Japan in March 2011.
