Tokyo - The Japanese labour ministry on Monday announced it would provide shelters and food for about 500 people who lost their homes and jobs as a result of recent economic recession that led many Japanese businesses to downsize workforce.

The global financial turmoil affected mainly the Japanese manufacturing sector, and the number of temporary workers to be laid off by the end of March was expected to exceed 85,000, according to the ministry.

Tokyo  - Tokyo's stock market ended the first trading of the New Year in a positive mood on Monday.

The Nikkei index of 225 leading stocks rose over 9,000 for the first time in nearly two months after Wall Street gained on Friday. The index gained 183.56 points, or 2.02 per cent, to 9,043.12.

Japan's benchmark index lost a record 42 per cent last year as the financial crisis pummeled world markets.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was also up 16.67 points, or 1.94 per cent, to 875.91.

Tokyo - Tokyo's stock market started trading for the New Year in a positive mood on Monday.

The Nikkei Index of 225 leading stocks rose over 9,000 for the first time in nearly two months as the market opened. After Wall Street gained on Friday, the Nikkei rose
212.76 points, or 2.4 per cent, to 9,072.32.

The index lost a record 42 per cent last year as the financial crisis pummeled world markets.

Tokyo  - Japanese striker Yoshito Okubo of Vissel Kobe in the J-League left Sunday for Germany to join first-division Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, Tokyo media report said.

The 26-year-old, who has 33 caps for Japan's national team, would join countryman Makoto Hasebe at Wolfsburg.

Okubo had once previously played in Europe, appearing in 39 matches and scoring five goals for the Spanish club Real Mallorca between January 2005 and July 2006.

In the J-League, the striker scored 64 goals in 149 matches.

"Hopefully I'll be in a position to score many goals," Okubo said in looking forward to the Bundesliga. "At Kobe I have developed as a player and I would like to test the level that I am now at."

Vienna - Only Japan and South Africa have submitted candidates for succeeding Mohamed ElBaradei at the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Vienna-based organisation confirmed Friday in a statement.

As ElBaradei's third and last term ends at the end of November 2009, Yukiya Amano of Japan and Abdul Samad Minty of South Africa, who represent their countries at the IAEA Board of Governors, are now vying for the prestigious post of director general.

The deadline for IAEA member states to name candidates ended on December 31, 2008.

Tokyo  - Emperor Akihito on Friday voiced his concern Japan's slide into recession as thousands of his subjects gathered for one of the rare occasions of seeing their monarch in public.

"I am concerned that many people face serious problems because of the grave economic situation," Akihito told the flag-waving crowd which had gathered in front of the glazed balcony of Tokyo's imperial palace.

"I hope this year will be a good one for all of you, as far as this is possible," the 75-year-old Tenno, whose role is largely ceremonial, said.