Japan's benchmark Nikkei tumbles over 3 pct to near 1-month low

TOKYO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks plunged on Wednesday, with the benchmark Nikkei index dropping over 3 percent to a near one-month low, hit by growing concerns over the conflict in the Middle East and surging oil prices.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 2,033.51 points, or 3.61 percent, from Tuesday at 54,245.54.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 138.50 points, or 3.67 perce