Japan

Tokyo stocks end lower on US economic concerns

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday on renewed concerns about the economy of the United States, a major export market for Japan.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 110.71 points, or 1.33 per cent, to close at 8,213.22. The index gained more than 5 per cent Tuesday after the US government announced a bail-out plan for the struggling Citigroup Inc.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 14.36 points, or 1.73 per cent, at 817.22.

Tokyo stocks drop on economic concerns

Tokyo stocks drop on economic concernsTokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended Wednesday morning trading lower on renewed concerns about the economy of the United States, a major export market for Japan.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 108.27 points, or 1.3 per cent, to trade at 8,215.66. The index gained more than 5 per cent Tuesday after the US government announced a bail-out plan for the struggling Citigroup Inc.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 14.03 points, or 1.69 per cent, at 817.55.

Asian stocks rise on Citigroup bailout, Wall Street gains

Tokyo - Asian stock markets rebounded Tuesday after gains on Wall Street spurred by the US government's bailout plan to save the banking giant Citigroup Inc.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged more than 5 per cent on Wall Street's overnight rally and a weaker yen, which increases exporters' overseas earnings.

The Nikkei index soared 413.14 points, or 5.22 per cent, to close at 8,323.93.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 3.6 per cent at 831.58.

Young Japanese reluctant travellers

Tokyo - Having grown up during years of economic slumps and now seeing their country in a recession, young Japanese are bucking their national image of being globe-trotters and are preferring to stay at home.

Home is not only more comfortable, but overseas travel has lost the allure that it used to have.

"The number of young Japanese [customers] has dropped notably in the last years, and that's crucial for us," said Yumi Isozaki, a spokeswoman for the Japan Association of Travel Agents.

Japanese man arrested for scattering 200 mealworms in train

Tokyo - A 35-year-old man was arrested for scattering about 200 mealworms in a train in western Japan because he wanted to see surprised looks on female passengers' faces, a Japanese daily said Tue

Tokyo stocks end morning higher on Wall Street rises, weaker yen

Tokyo stocks end morning higher on Wall Street rises, weaker yen Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended morning trading higher Tuesday on Wall Street's overnight rises and a weaker yen, sending the key Nikkei 225 Stock Average up more than 4 per cent.

The Nikkei index jumped 335.29 points, or 4.24 per cent, to 8,246.08.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 23.75 points, or 2.96 per cent, to 826.44.

Investors bought a wide range of issues Tuesday after a three-day holiday in Tokyo as the market sentiment was cheered by US markets' rises and a weaker yen.

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