THE Tokyo Stock Exchange halted trading yesterday for just the second time in its 56-year history after a surge in orders overloaded computer systems.

Japanese stocks plunged for a second day today, bringing its two-day loss to nearly 6% amid investor jitters about a widening criminal investigation of internet start-up Livedoor Co.

Japan’s main stock market nose-dived for a second day today on growing investor jitters from “Livedoor shock,” the widening criminal investigation at an internet start-up that has sparked a sell-off, especially in technology shares.