Japan's key Nikkei stock index fell below the 16,000 line for the first time in more than two months Thursday following an overnight plunge in U.S. shares.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 220.49 points, or 1.35 percent, to end the day at 16,087.18, after falling to as low as 15,914.39. The index last dropped below the 16,000 line on March 10.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 24.99 points, or 1.51 percent, to 1,632. 08.

Losing issues swamped gainers 1,210 to 417, with 67 shares ending flat.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section came to 2,024.88 million shares against Wednesday's 2,300.25 million.

Nippon Steel was the volume leader, down 13 yen to 415 yen.

Softbank was the most heavily traded issue in value terms. It gained 35 yen to 2,920 yen.

The TSE's Second Section index lost 37.05 points, or 0.79 percent, to 4,636.01 on a volume of 77.73 million shares. In Osaka, the near-term June Nikkei 225 index futures contract dropped 200 points to 16,070.

Source: Xinhua