Tokyo - Japan's TDK Corp plans to purchase German electronics parts maker EPCOS AG for a maximum of 200 billion yen (1.85 billion dollars), which would be one of the largest acquisitions in the industry, media reports said Thursday.

TDK hopes to boost its operations through the deal amidst harsh competition in Asia.

TDK is to launch a friendly tender offer for EPCOS shares, which are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, to make it a subsidiary by the end of this year, Jiji Press quoted informed sources as saying.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks gave up early gains and ended the morning trading lower Thursday, pressured by mounting worries about corporate earnings in Japan.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 78.93 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 13,288.86.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was down 12.62 points, or 0.97 per cent, to 1,290.37.

The Tokyo market opened higher after Wall Street's overnight gains, but investors' anxiety over Japanese firms' earnings later dampened the sentiment.

Tokyo - Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the breakdown of World Trade Organization (WTO) talks over disputes on the opening of agricultural markets but vowed to push for an eventual agreement.

"It is very regrettable that an accord on modalities was not reached at a WTO ministerial meeting despite more than a week of all-out effort by ministers," Fukuda said in a statement.

Tokyo - Japan's industrial production fell for the first time in two months as the auto industry had weak output, the government said Wednesday.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks opened higher Wednesday on Wall Street's overnight rebound and a weaker yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 156.26 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 13,315.71.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 13.13 points, or 1.02 per cent, to 1,294.77.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 108.06-09 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 107.55-58 yen. A weaker yen helps boost Japanese firms' earnings overseas.