Tokyo  - Japanese electronics giant Toshiba Corp Friday revised its earnings estimate for the previous business year, now predicting a greater net loss due to a price slump in the semiconductor market and tax credit costs.

Toshiba now predicts a net loss of 350 billion yen (3.5 billion dollars) for the business year that ended March 31, up from a previous 280-billon-yen loss estimate. Last business year, Toshiba reported net profits of 127.4 billion yen.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended morning trading higher Friday on renewed optimism over the US financial sector and the US dollar's advance against the yen.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 194.29 points, or 2.22 per cent, to 8,949.55.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 15.04 points, or 1.81 per cent, to 847.08.

Tokyo  - Japan and the United States Friday pledged to provide 1 billion dollars each to Pakistan.

"Pakistan plays an extremely important role in the international fight against terrorism and extremism," Prime Minister Taro Aso said at a ministerial-level meeting of the Friends of Pakistan group in Tokyo.

At the opening of the meeting, Aso officially announced Japan's contribution of 1 billion dollars to Pakistan. The United States vowed to donate the same amount.

Tokyo  - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Thursday told visiting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari that stability in Pakistan is important for stability in south-western Asia.

"The stable development of Pakistan will directly lead to the stability of the entire region," the Kyoto News Agency quoted Aso as telling Zardari during a meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo.

Tokyo-Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged his government's full support for Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Games as a delegation from the International Olympics Committee began an inspection Thursday.

"It is my earnest desire to invite young Olympians from around the world to Tokyo to experience what I felt and learned as a young athlete," Aso told the 13-member IOC evaluation team.

Tokyo - China-related shares led the Japanese market to rise more almost 3 per cent in Thursday morning trading.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 253.43 points, or 2.9 per cent, to 8,996.39.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 16.67 points, or 2 per cent, at 851.92.

Investors were attracted to mainly China-related titles Thursday on hopes of the nation's economic growth.