The Economic Information Daily News Agency reported on the 15th: Japanese stocks plunged in morning trading, with the Nikkei 225 index closing the first half at 64,489, down 3,255 points or 4.81%. The South Korean KOSPI index was reported at 5,544, down 464 points or 7.73%.

The U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen was quoted at 157.67/69.