Bangkok  - Nikon Corp's unit in Thailand laid off 1,500 of its subcontracting staff amid signs that Thailand's exports are slowing, media reports said Saturday.

The Japanese camera-manufacturing giant has decided to terminate the employment of 1,500 non-permanent staff at its factory in Ayuthaya province, the Bangkok Post said, quoting provincial labour official Pongthai Musikapong.

Manila  - A plane carrying Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has made an emergency landing in Japan after her husband fell ill on the flight, officials said Friday.

Arroyo was on her way to Lima, Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit.

Her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, fell ill on the flight, with some officials saying he had a heart attack. Other officials said he suffered an upset stomach.

Mr. Arroyo underwent heart surgery in Manila last year.

"Our information is that the president's plane made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan at 11 pm Philippine time because of the condition of the first gentleman," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks snapped its losing streak to close Friday trading higher as investors bought back battered shares.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 207.75 points, or 2.7 per cent, to close at 7,910.79.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 20.41 points, or 2.57 per cent, to 802.69.

The Tokyo market lost more than 2 per cent in morning trading due to stronger yen and Wall Street's overnight plunges, but it erased early losses in the afternoon session with bargain-hunting.

Tokyo - The Bank of Japan decid

Tokyo - Asian stock markets took heavy losses Thursday, reflecting widespread gloom about US economic troubles and another bad day on Wall Street.

Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average plummeted nearly 7 per cent, ending the day below the 8,000 level.

Traders said the sell-off was the result of mounting concern over the US economy, particularly the Big Three automakers' financial fate.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average tumbled 570.18 points, or 6.89 per cent, to close at 7,703.04.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also fell 45.15 points, or 5.46 per cent, to 782.28.