HONG KONl. Apr 3: Aslan stock markets closed mostly lower Monday, with (he key index in Tokyo plunging to almost a three-year low because of fears that the weak US dollar will hurt the Japanese-economy. reports AP.

Tokyo's benchmark's Nikkei Stock Average of 225 sei ected issues plunged 758.66 points, or 4.70 per cent, closing at 15.381.29. The average had lost 372.27 points Friday.

Monday s close was the lowest sinev 15.267.76’on August 20 1992.

The Tokyo Slock Price In dex ol all issues listed on the first section lost -67.28 points, or 4.38 per cent, to 1.250.61. It had lost 11.56 points, or 0.88 per cent, on Friday.

Pessimism about the higher yen prompted both domestic and overseas investors to start unwinding their positions in* Nikkei futures, sending all other market sectors down, tmdeas-said.

Tomio Tsutsumi, a - vice . trade minister, said the recent sharp decline In Japanese slit* k prices and the yen's rise might have slowed the nation's recovery from a 4-year-old recession.

In late Tokyo trading, the -dollar was quoted at 86.54 yen. down 1.84 yen from late Friday in Tokyo and below its 86.64 yen in New York late Friday.

In Hong Kong, share prices also tumbled In reaction to Ihe plunge on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the weak US dollar.

The Hang Seng Index, the Hong Kong market's key Indicator of blue chips, fell 187.28.

pomls. or 2.2 per cent, closing at 8.400.44. On Friday. Jt had slumped 88 points.

The market was closed in Taiwan fet a public holiday

"MANILA: Share prices closed lower on profit taking after recent sharp rises. The Philippines PSE index of 43 selected Issues fell 15.62 points to 2.376.63.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices dobed little* changed in moderate trading. The. NZSE-40 Capital Index rose 1.36 points to 1,998.89.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed mostly lower as investors reacted negatively to a fall in the US market Friday and a sharp decline in the value of the US dollar. The All Ordinaries Index fell 7.1 points to 1,899.5.

SEOUL: Share prices closed lower in lackluster trading. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index was down 11.56 points to 922.53. ; - - ■

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed tower because of the weak US dollar and rumours that the central bank. Bank Negara Malaysia, may raise statutory reserve requirements for banks. The KLSE Composite Index fell 17.76 points to 966.31.

SINGAPORE: Share prices closed lower in thin trading. The 30-share Straits Times Industrials Index fell 18.47 points to 2.074.65.

BANGKOK: Thai share prices closed lower, dragged down by the sliding US dollar and declines in other regional markets,