Nikkei closes below 12,000 for 1st time in over 16 yrs

TOKYO, Japan - A huge digital display on the roof of a building in Tokyo's Chuo Ward shows the key Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange plunging below 12,000 on March 13. The 225-issue Nikkei Average lost 351.67 points to close the day's session at 11,819.70 -- the first time since Feb. 7, 1985 that the Nikkei has closed below 12,000.