Tokyo - Japan's current account balance was cut more than in half in February compared with the same month a year ago but returned to the black after posting a deficit in January, government officials said Wednesday.

The nation's current account surplus narrowed 55.6 per cent in February to 1.12 trillion yen (11.14 billion dollars) on declining exports, the Finance Ministry said.

The trade surplus in goods and services fell 94.3 per cent from a year before to 53 billion yen.

The income surplus fell 34.1 per cent to 1.1 trillion yen, the biggest fall in almost three years.

Tokyo  - The Tokyo market fell Wednesday after concerns over US firms' earnings reports led Wall Street to overnight losses.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average dipped 174.22 points, or 1.97 per cent, in morning trading to 8,658.63.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was down 12.73 points, or 1.53 per cent, at 819.87.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 100.62-67 yen, up from Tuesday's 5 pm quote of 100.54-56 yen.

Tokyo  - The Japanese Parliament on Tuesday condemned what it regards as a ballistic missile test by North Korea over the weekend.

The lower House called on the government to implement further sanctions against the Stalinist state and urged the UN Security Council to pass a resolution against North Korea.

Meanwhile, the five permanent members of the Security Council in New York continued their tug-of-war over a resolution on what North Korea claimed was the launch of a communications satellite.

Tokyo  - Japan's parliament on Tuesday condemned what it regards a ballistic missile test by North Korea over the weekend.

The lower house also called on the government implement further sanctions against the Stalinist state and urged the UN Security Council to pass a resolution against North Korea.

Meanwhile the five permanent members of the Security Council in New York continued their tug-of-war over a resolution on what North Korea claimed was the launch of a communications satellite.

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks ended Tuesday morning's trading modestly higher on optimism over the domestic economy and a rise in carmakers' shares caused by expectations for a resurgence in global demand.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average inched up 26.52 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 8,884.45.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 4.49 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 835.46.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 100.43-48 yen, down from Monday's 5 pm quote of 101.15-18 yen.