Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks extended their losses Friday on the back of oil price rises and a stronger yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 85.5 points in morning trading, or 0.67 per cent, to trade at 12,666.71.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 8.14 points, or 0.66 per cent, at 1,216.39.

Exporters were hurt by a weaker US dollar against the yen as a stronger yen makes Japanese products more expensive overseas.

Tokyo  - Japan's trade surplus in July shrank 86.6 per cent to 91.1 billion yen (829 million dollars) compared with July 2007, as China overtook the United States as the country's biggest export market, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.

The nation's exports rose 8.1 per cent to 7.63 trillion yen, and imports rose 18.2 per cent to a record 7.54 trillion yen, as high oil prices drove up the price of energy imports, shrinking Japan's trade surplus for the fifth month in a row.

The trade surplus with the rest of Asia jumped 42.3 per cent. Exports to Asia rose 12.7 per cent to a new peak of 3.86 trillion yen, and imports also went up 5.7 per cent to a record 2.93 trillion yen.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday on lingering concerns over the outlook of the US and Japanese economies.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 44.56 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 12,807.13.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 3.88 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 1,229.49.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 109.70-75 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 110.12-13 yen.

Berlin  - Japanese automakers produce the most environmentally friendly cars, a study released in Germany Wednesday concluded.

Drawn up by the Traffic Club Germany (VCD), the study said that Japanese carmakers were ahead of their international rivals at a time when concerns are growing about high fuel costs and global warming.

"When it comes to innovations favourable to the environment, the Japanese continue to be out in front," said VCD chief Hermann-Josef Vogt releasing the group9s findings.

Six Japanese car manufacturers were among the top ten in the VCD's latest auto environment list.

New Delhi, Aug 20 : To strengthen security and strategic ties, two guided missile destroyers and one training ship of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force will take part in an exercise with Indian Navy from August 23-26 on the western seaboard.

On August 26 they will be participating in PASSEX along with Indian Fleet Ships comprising Delhi class and Corvette. The PASSEX would involve OOW Manoeuvres, Flying Exercise, Cross Deck Flying, Photo Exercise, Underway Replenishment, Jackstay and Steam Past.

Japanese Defence Ships Kashima (Training Ship), Asagiri and Umigiri are visiting Mumbai from August 23 – 26. Both JDS Asagiri and Umigiri are frontline destroyers with a displacement of 2500 Tonnes and carry Sea Hawk Helicopter.

Tokyo - A monkey stopped pedestrians in their tracks at Tokyo's busy Shibuya train station Wednesday, becoming a rare photo opportunity for nearly 50 passersby.