Wellington - Greenpeace, an international environmental organization, hailed the beginning of the end of Japanese whaling in the Antarctic on Thursday following news reports of the first cut in the season's target kill for 21 years.

A Greenpeace statement quoted Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper as saying that Japan cut its target of whales to be caught in the Southern Ocean for its so-called scientific programme this year by 20 per cent.

Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell more than 5 per cent in Thursday morning trading as the market sentiment was dampened due to persistent worries over the US economy and the yen trading stronger against other currencies.

The Nikkei index tumbled 5.12 per cent, or 445.46 points to 8,250.05.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also fell 36.84 points, or 4.21 per cent, to 838.39.

Exporters were hurt by the stronger yen as it shaves off Japanese firms' earnings overseas.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks ended lower Wednesday on Wall Street's overnight losses and slumping commodity prices.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 113.79 points, or 1.29 per cent, to close at 8,695.51, with shares of commodity companies among the biggest losers of the day.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 14.13 points, or 1.59 per cent, to 875.23.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 97.78-83 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 97.64-65 yen.

Tokyo - To

Tokyo, Nov. 11 : The North Korean Government has warned Japan that it could order its military forces to stop and board Japanese ships operating in the Sea of Japan or shadow military or civilian aircraft close to its territory if Tokyo steps up its sanctions against Pyongyang.

Tokyo - Japanese chemical company Mitsubishi Rayon Co decided on Tuesday to buy Britain's Lucite International Group Ltd, which holds the world's largest share in the acrylic monomers market, the Japanese company said.

If the tender offer is completed, Lucite would become Mitsubishi Rayon's subsidiary.

Mitsubishi Rayon, which is the fourth largest firm in the market, is offering 1.6 billion dollars to buy all outstanding shares of Lucite to expand its business as the world's leading company for acrylic monomer.

The Japanese firm, which has suffered a slowing demand for acrylic fibers for clothing, hopes to expand its foothold in the acrylics monomers sector, it said.