Tokyo - People in the small north-central and southern Japanese towns of Obama exuberantly celebrated Wednesday as the communities' namesake was elected US president.

The Obama Boys and Girls were dancing their hula in north-central Obama city when the news broke that Barack Obama defeated rival Republican candidate John McCain and was declared president-elect.

During Obama's victory speech at Grant Park, Chicago, his fans in the far-eastern fishing town also joined the Obama chants.

"Mr Obama proved to us that we can make our dreams come true by taking action," an Obama resident said after the results came in.

Tokyo - The Tokyo market ended Wednesday's trading higher as the news of Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election boosted investor sentiment.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 406.64 points, or 4.46 per cent, to close at 9,521.24.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also rose 56.21 points, or 6.17 per cent, to 966.91.

In morning trading, Japanese stocks rose on Wall Street's overnight rises and the US dollar's advance against the yen. A stronger dollar helps increase Japanese exporters' earnings.

Tokyo - The Toyota lux

Tokyo - The Tokyo stock market ended Wednesday morning's session higher on Wall Street's overnight gains and the US dollar's strength against the yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 257.07 points, or 2.82 per cent, to 9,371.67.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 41.18 points, or 4.52 per cent, at 951.88.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks ended Tuesday trading higher with the benchmark Nikkei index rising above 9,000 level as the market confidence was regained on a series of economic stimulus packages and the Asian stock market's advance the previous day.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 537.62 points, or 6.27 per cent, to close at 9,114.6. The index had lost 5 per cent Friday. The Tokyo market was closed Monday for a national holiday.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also gained 43.58 points, or 5.02 per cent, to 910.7.