Tokyo - Japan's trade surplus narrowed 80 per cent to 2.16 trillion yen (24.1 billion dollars) in 2008 from a year earlier as imports increased on surging oil prices and exports shrank amid the global economic slowdown, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.
Exports fell 3.4 per cent to 81.05 trillion yen in 2008 for the first fall in seven years because of automotive and semiconductor export declines.
Imports grew 7.9 per cent to a record 78.9 trillion yen on price hikes of natural resources.
Tokyo - Stocks ended Thursday morning trading in Tokyo lower as investors sold export-oriented issues on the yen's advance against other major currencies.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dipped 12.03 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 7,889.61.
The broader Topix index of all first section issues was also down 0.95 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 786.2.
On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 89.04-09 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 89.89-92 yen.
Tokyo - Sony Corp was expected to close a television manufacturing plant and cut 2,000 full-time jobs in Japan as it prepares to report the first operating loss in 14 years amid the global economic downturn, The Nikkei business daily said Thursday.
As a cost-cutting effort, the Japanese home electronics giant earlier announced its plan to dismiss more than 16,000 workers in and outside Japan.
Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end Wednesday trading as the market sentiment was dampened by concerns over the US and European financial sectors.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 164.15 points, or 2.04 per cent, to close at 7,901.64.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was down 17.88 points, or 2.22 per cent, to 787.15.
On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar traded at 90.00-05 yen, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 90.41-43 yen.
Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end Wednesday morning trading as the market sentiment was dampened by concerns over the US and European financial sectors.
The Nikkei index lost 155.94 points, or 1.93 per cent, to 7,909.85.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was down 15.23 points, or 1.89 per cent, to 789.8.
On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 89.77-82 yen, down from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 90.41-43 yen.
Tokyo - Japan's trade surplus narrowed 80 per cent to 2.16 trillion yen (24.1 billion dollars) in 2008 from a year earlier as imports increased on surging oil prices and exports shrank amid the global economic slowdown, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.
Tokyo - Stocks ended Thursday morning trading in Tokyo lower as investors sold export-oriented issues on the yen's advance against other major currencies.
Tokyo - Sony Corp was expected to close a television manufacturing plant and cut 2,000 full-time jobs in Japan as it prepares to report the first operating loss in 14 years amid the global economic downturn, The Nikkei business daily said Thursday.
Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end Wednesday trading as the market sentiment was dampened by concerns over the US and European financial sectors.
Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end Wednesday morning trading as the market sentiment was dampened by concerns over the US and European financial sectors.
