Japan's Nikkei hits lowest since Sept 2005

TOKYO, March 10 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average hit its lowest in two and a half years in the early afternoon trade on Monday, led by exporters such as Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) after bleak U.S. jobs data added to fears that the world's largest economy is already in recession.

As of 0334 GMT, the benchmark Nikkei .N225 had fallen 1.8 percent to 12,549.14, its lowest since Sept. 8, 2005. The broader TOPIX index shed 1.6 percent to 1,227.49. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)