London - Japanese carmaker Nissan Thursday announced major job cuts at a plant in north-east England which accounts for the bulk of British car exports.

Nissan said 1,200 jobs would go at its plant in Sunderland, near Newcastle, which employs around 5,000 workers and is one of the biggest employers in the region.

The Nissan plant is Britain's largest car exporter, selling 80 per cent of its cars abroad. It was opened to great fanfare during the rule of Conservative ex-prime minister Margaret Thatcher in 1986.

Tokyo - Sales of imported cars in Japan plunged to their lowest level in 15 years in 2008 amid oil price surges and the global financial turmoil, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said Thursday.

Sales fell 17.3 per cent to 219,231 units in 2008 compared to the year before. These figures include Japanese cars built overseas.

Sales of imported foreign cars declined 16.3 per cent to 193,902 units, and those of Japanese vehicles produced overseas tumbled 24.4 per cent to 25,329 units.

Tokyo  - Japan's benchmark Nikkei index snapped a seven-day winning streak on renewed worries over the US economy Thursday.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 212.5 points, or 2.3 per cent, to 9,026.74, as investor concerns grew over US jobmarket data.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was also down 15.45 points, or 1.74 per cent, to 872.8.

The yen's advance against the US dollar also led investors to sell mainly export-oriented issues as a stronger yen affects Japanese companies' earnings.

Tokyo - Japanese Emperor Akihito on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of ascending to Japan's throne by visiting his father's grave in Tokyo.

As the Akihito's reign began with his father's death, January 7 also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the death of emperor Hirohito, who is referred to by his posthumous name Showa in Japan.

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.