Tokyo - Tokyo stocks ended modestly higher Monday as investors bought back battered shares, but gains were capped due to anxiety over the slowdown of Japan's economic growth.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average inched up 60.19 points, or 0.71 per cent, to close at 8,522.58.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 3.58 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 850.49.

The government announced Monday that the nation's economy shrank at an annualized rate of 0.4 per cent in real terms in the July-September period.

Tokyo  - Japan's economy shrank at an annualized rate of 0.4 per cent in real terms in the July-September period, the government said Monday.

The gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.1 per cent during the three months from the previous quarter, marking the second quarterly drop, the Cabinet Office said.

Looking at the GDP for the July-September quarter, Japanese Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano said Monday that the nation's economy is in a recession.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks opened modestly higher Monday as investors bought back battered shares, but gains were capped due to anxiety over the slowdown of Japan's economic growth.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 98.8 points, or 1.17 per cent, to 8,561.19.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 6.31 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 853.22.

The government announced Monday that the nation's economy shrank at an annualized rate of 0.4 per cent in real terms in the July-September period.

Washington  - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Saturday in Washington that he looked forward to working with US president- elect Barack Obama.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Group of 20 nations to address the world economic crisis, Aso was asked about his thoughts on Obama.

"Obama-san?" he asked, before saying they had spoken over the phone since the November 4 election. And though it was difficult to know much about his personality from the brief discussion, Aso said that Obama appeared to show an interest in Asia.

Mar del Plata, Argentina - The Japanese film Still Walking from director Hirokazu Kore-eda Saturday received the prestigious Golden Astor as best film of the 23rd International Film Festival in Argentina's Atlantic coastal town of Mar del Plata .

A second prize also went to Japan: Kiyoshi Kurosawa received a Silver Astor for best direction in his film, Tokyo Sonata.