Japan's key Nikkei stock index took a dive to a fresh four-month low Tuesday as across-the-board selling set in following an overnight tumble in U.S. shares.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 283.45 points, or 1.81 percent, to 15,384.86, for its lowest close since Jan. 23.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange slid 27.62 points, or 1.73 percent, to 1,567. 30, the lowest ending for this year.

Declining issues swamped advancing ones 1,459 to 189, with 50 shares ending unchanged.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section came to 1,541.54 million shares against Monday's 1,518.96 million shares.

Sumitomo Metal Industries was the day's volume leader, down 3 yen to 501 yen.

Softbank was the most heavily traded issue by value. It dipped 100 yen to 2,440 yen.

The TSE's Second Section index lost 162.32 points, or 3.70 percent, to 4,224.92 on a volume of 56.14 million shares. In Osaka, the near-term June Nikkei 225 index futures contract dropped 320 points to 15,360.

Source: Xinhua