Japan's Nikkei wraps up worst month since 2008 as Mideast crisis drags on

By Rocky Swift

TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average fell for the fourth straight day on Tuesday, capping its worst month since the 2008 global financial crisis as the widening Middle East war weighed on sentiment.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index .N225 fell 1.6% to close at 51,063.72, bringing its cumulative loss in March to 13.2%, the most since October 2008. The broader Topix .TOPX slid 1.26% to 3,497.86.

U.S. technology shares declined overnight, dragging Wall Street indexes broadly lower, as the war in the Middle East escalated. Iran attacked a fully-loaded crude oil tanker in Dubai on Monday, setting it ablaze.

Japanese shares briefly found support after the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had told aides he was willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

"Semiconductor-related stocks fell sharply in the U.S. market last night, and following that trend, selling pressure is being seen today in Japan," said Maki Sawada, an equities strategist at Nomura Securities.

"If the correction continues, the 50,000 point (on the Nikkei) is likely to be viewed as a key support level."

There were 88 advancers on the Nikkei against 135 decliners. The largest losers were all suppliers to the tech sector, including Fujikura 5803.T, down 9.2%, Furukawa Electric 5801.T, 7% lower, and Sumitomo Electric 5802.T, which lost 6.9%.

The largest gainers were SHIFT 3697.T, up 3.4%, followed by Teijin Ltd 3401.T, which advanced 3.4%.