TOKYO, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed sharply lower Monday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index plummeting to a two-and-a-half month closing low, as risk averse investors offloaded issues amid ongoing global trade tensions.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 492.58 points, or 2.21 percent, from Friday to close the day at 21,811.93, marking its lowest closing level since April 13.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 35.60 points, or 2.06 percent, to finish at 1,695.29.

Rubber product, retail and food-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.?