Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended trading lower on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 Stock Average losing 115.05 points, or 1.35 per cent, to close at 8397.22 points.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down by 7.35 points, or 0.88 per cent, at 827.47 points. Traders said markets were still hit by general concerns about the world economy.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 95.32-37 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quote of 95.29-32.

MISHIMA, Japan, Dec. 1 -- Two Japanese researchers say it is "plausible and provocative" to associate the obesity epidemic with chemical triggers present in the modern environment.

Taisen Iguchi and Yoshinao Katsu of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan say the rise in obesity in humans over the past 40 years parallels the increased use of industrial chemicals during the same period.

The researchers note the chemical Tributyltin is used as a wood and textile preservative in paints for boats, as a pesticide on high-value food crops and many other applications.

Tokyo  - Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average opened lower in early trading Monday, amid continuing concern about the slowing world economy.

The Nikkei fell 166.44 points, or 1.95 per cent, to 8,345.83. The broader Topix index of all first-section issues lost 12.05 points, or 1.44 per cent, to 822.77. dpa ln ffxnc006 vv iq sn 010800 ecs tra 000

World-Economy/UN/ ROUNDUP: UN: Deep 2009 recession in developed nations if stimuli fail Eds: Embargo expired =

New York (dpa) - United Nations economists warned Monday that the world economy will enter a deep recession if numerous stimulus packages being worked out by individual countries fail to improve the credit crunch and restore consumer confidence in the coming months.

Recently, Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia announced that even after trying hard to grow its market share in Japan, it has not helped in anyways, so the company would soon stop selling its handsets in Japan.

However, Nokia revealed that its luxury Vertu brand would continue being sold in Japan, and would dedicate its Japanese business for research purposes. Other than Nokia, Samsung and LG have been facing a lot of problems in Japan, where the market is primarily dominated by the sophisticated domestic phones.

Cologne, Germany - Japan makes better use of the abilities of senior citizens than Germany does, according to a German expert in the field.

"Public services, families and companies in Japan can access the expertise of older people through regional centres and networks, said Hartmut Meyer-Wolters, professor of gerontology at the University of Cologne. "We're a long way from reaching this stage in Germany."