Tokyo stocks end sharply lower amid European political concerns

TOKYO, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed sharply lower on Monday amid selling over concerns over European political situations and a potential U.S. economic slowdown.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 712.12 points, or 1.83 percent, from Friday to close the day at 38,102.44.

The decline marked the biggest one-day drop since April 25 when the index f