Tokyo's Nikkei index closed at its lowest level in more than 26 years on renewed jittery over the Japanese and global economy.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 87.07 points, or 1.21 percent, from Friday to 7,086.03, marking its lowest finish since October 6, 1982 when the Nikkei closed at 6,974.35.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 10.86 points, or 1.51 percent, to 710.53, its lowest level since December 1983.

Stocks declined across the board, led by real estate, insurance and pharmaceutical issues. Major gainers included mining, oil and coal product issues.

Traders believed the fall was largely triggered by a batch of new dismal economic data released Monday, including the first current account deficit in 13 years.

Bucking the trend was Sony, rising 49 yen, or nearly 3 percent, to 1,764 yen, following the dollar's rise to the lower 98 yen level Monday in Tokyo from the lower 97 yen level on Friday.

Trading volume on the main section came to 1,737.60 million shares, down from Friday's 2,051.95 million.

The TSE's Second Section index shed 6.94 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,765.75 on a volume of 10.01 million shares. On the Osaka Securities Exchange, the near-term March Nikkei 225 index futures contract was down 120 points to 7,050.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2009)