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.

Tokyo - Toyota Motor Corp decided to further reduce output by halting operations for 11 days at 12 domestic plants in February and March, the company said Tuesday.

Due to rapid decline of overseas demand, the leading automaker suspended operations for three days this month at almost all its domestic factories.

Toyota also plans to stop some production lines during the night shift at 13 parts-factories including subsidiaries in and outside Japan this month.

Yokohama, Japan  - Much of the world was tuned in to Yokohama for a little over 90 minutes in 2002, when it hosted the final of the football World Cup. Brazil's Ronaldo scored two goals to give his team victory over Germany. The city then fell back into the shadow of nearby Tokyo.

But Yokohama will be back in the spotlight in 2009 as it marks an important anniversary - 150 years ago, it opened its port to world trade and thus ushered in a fundamental modernization of Japan. The events dedicated to the anniversary are a good opportunity for tourists to visit the city.

Tokyo  - The Tokyo stock mark

Tokyo - New car sales in Japan dropped the lowest in 34 years in 2008 as consumer appetite waned amid economic recession, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Monday.

The sales of new cars fell to 3,212,342 units in 2008, down 6.5 per cent from the year before, the association said. The figures exclude small car sales.

Annual sales in the record year of 1990 reached 5,975,089 units.

Sales of passenger cars fell 5.2 per cent, while truck sales declined 14.8 per cent and bus sales dipped 1.8 per cent.