Japanese share prices plunged Monday on concerns about Greece's failure to meet a deficit target set by European leaders as part of its bailout deal. The dollar was fractionally higher against the yen.

Tokyo's Nikkei index dropped 1.8 percent to close at 8,545.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.92 yen, down a tenth of a yen from late Friday.

Gold was trading at $1,656.03 an ounce.