TOKYO, Oct 3, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese share prices closed down 1.94 percent on Friday at a new three-year low on worries about the health of the US economy and uncertain prospects for a huge Wall Street bailout, dealers said.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index lost 216.62 points to 10,938.14, ending below the key 11,000 points level for the first time since May 2005.

Investors were nervous ahead of a vote on a revamped 700-billion-dollar financial rescue package by the US House of Representatives, whose rejection of an earlier version sent global share prices plunging.