Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average, on Monday fell two per cent for the first decline in two trading days amid growing fears of the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China.
The Nikkei lost 483.67 points, or 2.03 per cent, to close at 23,343.51, the biggest fall since the start of 2020.
The broader Topix index was down 27.87 points, or 1.61 per cent, at 1702.57.
Shares in airlines and retailers plummeted as the number of visitors from China, the largest market, was expected to fall sharply.
Chinese health authorities said 80 people had died and 2,744 were confirmed infected as of Monday, marking a rise in the death toll by 24 since Sunday.
