Tokyo  - Optimism based on the US economic stimulus package boosted the Japan market Wednesday, sending the benchmark Nikkei index up 2 per cent.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 182.31 points to 9,263.15.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was also up 14.49 points, or 1.65 per cent, to 890.69.

On the currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 93.35-40 yen, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 93.53-54 yen.

Tokyo - The Tokyo stock market ended modestly higher Tuesday on the US dollar's advance against the yen.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed up 37.72 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 9,080.84.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was almost unchanged at 876.2, up 0.29 points, or 0.03 per cent, at 876.2.

Exporters were helped by weaker yen as it boosts their competitiveness overseas.

But gains were limited as investors sold shares in the afternoon session for quick profit.

Tokyo  - The Tokyo stock mark

Tokyo - New car sales in Japan dropped the lowest in 34 years in 2008 as consumer appetite waned amid economic recession, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Monday.

The sales of new cars fell to 3,212,342 units in 2008, down 6.5 per cent from the year before, the association said. The figures exclude small car sales.

Annual sales in the record year of 1990 reached 5,975,089 units.

Sales of passenger cars fell 5.2 per cent, while truck sales declined 14.8 per cent and bus sales dipped 1.8 per cent.

Tokyo - The Japanese labour ministry on Monday announced it would provide shelters and food for about 500 people who lost their homes and jobs as a result of recent economic recession that led many Japanese businesses to downsize workforce.

The global financial turmoil affected mainly the Japanese manufacturing sector, and the number of temporary workers to be laid off by the end of March was expected to exceed 85,000, according to the ministry.

Tokyo  - Tokyo's stock market ended the first trading of the New Year in a positive mood on Monday.

The Nikkei index of 225 leading stocks rose over 9,000 for the first time in nearly two months after Wall Street gained on Friday. The index gained 183.56 points, or 2.02 per cent, to 9,043.12.

Japan's benchmark index lost a record 42 per cent last year as the financial crisis pummeled world markets.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was also up 16.67 points, or 1.94 per cent, to 875.91.