Japan stocks News

The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 164.25 points at 20,292.94 by the break, while the Topix index of all first-section shares slipped 0.84 percent, or 14.04 points, to 1,647.95.

Tokyo stocks gained 0.43 percent Monday morning after Wall Street chalked up another record close last week.

Tokyo`s benchmark index edged up in edgy trade Wednesday morning following losses in US and European markets while the yen was slightly higher owing to concerns over the Greek debt talks.

Tokyo stocks ended 0.38 percent higher Tuesday, led by a surge in factory robotics giant Fanuc, while investors await earnings by major Japanese firms and a US Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Japan`s Nikkei share average rose on Tuesday helped by hopes of better shareholder returns after Fanuc Corp doubled its dividend payout ratio, but gains were limited ahead of a two-day U.S. Federal Reserve`s policy meeting.

Japanese shares rallied to a 15-year high on Wednesday on expectations of improved corporate earnings, while oil sagged after Saudi Arabia ended its military campaign in Yemen, easing tensions in the energy-rich Middle East.

Tokyo`s benchmark index climbed above 20,000 on Wednesday morning, led by bank while a weaker yen gave exporters a boost despite a weak lead from Wall Street.

Japan`s Nikkei share average topped the psychological 20,000-point mark on Friday for the first time in 15 years on hopes of stronger corporate earnings, and gained 2.4 percent on the week.

Japanese shares were probing 15-year peaks Wednesday as investors favoured Asian assets on expectations of more stimulus from countries such as China and Japan, as well as a delayed start to any tightening by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Tokyo stocks climbed 1.15 percent on Tuesday morning, boosted by a weaker yen and gains on Wall Street as last week`s soft US jobs data tempered expectations for a US interest rate hike.

Tokyo stocks eased 0.19 percent Monday morning, with exporters hit by a stronger yen after disappointing US jobs data dampened expectations the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates soon.

Tokyo stocks fell 1.57 percent Thursday morning, hit by a stronger yen and sharp losses on Wall Street that were fuelled by weak US data.

Japanese stocks rose to a fresh 15-year high on Friday with the dollar boosted by upbeat U.S. data, but continuing uncertainty over the Greek debt negotiations weighed on the euro.

Tokyo stocks opened 0.53 percent higher on Monday, supported by a weaker yen and fresh record highs on Wall Street driven by optimism over the outlook for the US economy.

The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 178.38 points to 15,300.55, its lowest since mid-August.

Japanese machinery orders and consumer confidence will also be on radar screens as speculation increases that the BoJ will expand its stimulus to counter an economic downturn.

By the middday break, the benchmark Nikkei was up 0.5 percent at 15,530.29, its highest level since Jan. 23, reversing early losses that followed Friday`s weakness on Wall Street.

The weaker euro dovetailed nicely with expectations for the European Central Bank to ease policy further with a gradual widening of interest rate differentials favouring the U.S. over Europe seen unfolding.