Tokyo - Tokyo stocks opened weaker Thursday, dragged down by technology and shipping titles.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 45.37 points, or 0.36 per cent, to 12,644,22.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 6.22 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 1,214,33.

Japanese glassmakers and shipping companies fell, after forecasts of slowing orders for television screens and freight rates for commodities.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 108.29-34 yen, from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 100,90-91 yen.

Tokyo - A Buddhist priest in Japan caused the destruction of his own temple when trying to smoke out some hornets squatting in the building, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said Thursday.

The 41-year-old tried to burn out a hornet's nest on top of a cupboard in his temple in the central Japanese province Niigata with a home-made bamboo torch.

However, the cupboard caught fire as the angry insects defended their home and attacked the scared priest. The fire soon spread to the rest of the building. While the priest only suffered light burns, the temple burnt down completely.

Tokyo - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is more popular than the opposition despite the resignation of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, a telephone survey showed Wednesday.

According to the country-wide poll conducted by the Kyodo news agency, 38.5 per cent planned to vote for the LDP in the next election. The Democratic Party of Japan (DJP), the country's largest opposition party, would receive 34.9 per cent popular support.

Japan's voters regard LDP Secretary General Taro Aso the most suitable successor for outgoing premier Fukuda. The

Tokyo - Producers of Japan's manga comic books are rejoicing over the political hubbub after the surprise resignation of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, a Japanese business daily said Wednesday.

Shares of animation companies shot up since former foreign minister Taro Aso, an avid fan of manga, is touted as the most likely candidate to succeed Fukuda at the helm of the Liberal Democratic Party and as prime minister.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesda