In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was 0.28 percent lower to 16,785.69 on Friday.

The Topix index closed at 1,616.62, while the Mothers market was higher, ending the session at 732.72 for a gain of 1.7 percent.

The pharmaceuticals sector was mixed.

Chugai Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4519) was 2.6 percent lower to ¥1,897 after it said it would need to extend clinical tests for a new anemia drug, while Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 4568) gained 4.6 percent to ¥3,450 on the news that the US Food and Drug Administration approved its new blood pressure medication.

House builders were also mixed.

While Daiwa House Industry (TYO: 1925) dropped 0.1 percent to ¥1,499, Sekisui House (TYO: 1928; OTC: SKHSY) was 0.6 percent higher to ¥1,446.

In the real estate sector, Mitsubishi Estate (TYO: 8802) was down 3 percent to ¥3,290.

Consumer lender Takefuji (TYO: 8564) added 5.8 percent to ¥2,280 after it announced a share buy-back.

Camera and copier maker Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) gained 2.6 percent to ¥6,270 on the possibility that it might also buy back shares.

Construction equipment manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (TYO: 7011) was 1.9 percent higher to ¥751 on the announcement that it will supply a Chinese nuclear facility.

Tokyo’s markets were higher on Thursday, as the Nikkei 225 had its highest close in a month and a half with a gain of 2.41 percent to 16,832.22.

The Topix index added 2.48 percent to 1,615.15 while the Mothers market was 5.52 percent higher to 720.5.

Banks were higher on rumors that investor Warren Buffett is looking to buy a stake in Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC), boosting investor confidence that the subprime crisis will not cripple the financial services sector.

Among banks, Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was up 4.78 percent to ¥658,000, while Resona Holdings (TYO: 8308) added 6.9 percent to ¥190,000.

Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) gained 7 percent to ¥891,000. Regional bank Suruga Bank Ltd (TYO: 8358) was up 11 percent to ¥1,402 after it said it is talking to Japan Post about a deal.

Brokers were also higher, with Nomura Holdings (TYO: 8604; NYSE: NMR; SGX: N33) closing at ¥1,938 and Daiwa Securities (TYO: 8601) adding 8.6 percent to ¥1,114.

The consumer finance sector also saw gains after Takefuji (TYO: 8564) was reported to be preparing results showing that it will cross over into profit this year after losing ¥481.2 billion last year.

Takefuji was 16 percent higher to ¥2,155 after gaining the full amount allowed by the exchange in a session, while Aiful (TYO: 8515) and Promise (TYO: 8574) each gained 15 percent, to ¥1,909 and ¥2,850 respectively.

In the real estate sector, Deutsche Bank (FWB: DBK; NYSE: DB) raised its recommendations on both Mitsui Fudosan (TYO: 8801; NAS: MDSFF) and Sumitomo Realty & Development (TYO: 8830) from “hold” to “buy”.

Mitsui Fudosan was 7.7 percent higher to ¥3,210, while Sumitomo was up 7.9 percent to ¥4,090.

Elsewhere, Japan Tobacco (TYO: 2914) added 4.5 percent to ¥634,000 on a report out of London that it will bid on Turkey’s state-owned cigarette maker, Tekel.

Tokyo’s markets saw gains Wednesday based on new data showing that Japan’s trade surplus quadrupled in August as automobile exports were up by 22 percent.

Expectations of another interest rate cut in the United States after new reports from the housing market there also helped.

The Nikkei 225 was 0.21 percent higher to 16,435.74 and the Topix index added 0.59 percent to 1,576.02, while the Mothers market jumped 8.13 percent to 682.78.

Banks were higher on a report that investments in mutual funds at Japan’s three largest banks were up by 3 percent in August.

Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) gained 1.1 percent to ¥628,000 while Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) was 2.6 percent higher to ¥833,000.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) is sitting out this week due to a stock split.

Truck and bus maker Hino Motors (TYO: 7205) added 4 percent to ¥909 after a higher profits forecast based on higher demand from the Middle East and South America.

In the retail sector, electronics retailer Yamada Denki (TYO: 9831) was up 3.5 percent to ¥10,610 after it raised its stake in Best Denki (TYO: 8175) to 7.71 percent and said that it wants to increase its stake in the competing retailer to 20 percent.

Best Denki gained 4.3 percent to ¥854.

Yamada Denki’s purchase and declaration came after Bic Camera (TYO: 3048) said that it would spend ¥5.7 billion to raise its stake in Best Denki to 9.33 percent.

Bic Camera was 0.5 percent lower on the session to ¥59,700.

The oil sector was lower on overnight declines in oil prices.

Japan Petroleum Exploration (TYO: 1662) was 0.7 percent lower to ¥8,270, while Inpex (TYO: 1605) fell 5.8 percent to ¥1.13 million.

Nuclear reactor manufacturer Toshiba (TYO: 6502; LSE: TOS), however, added 4.2 percent to ¥1,027 as investors speculated that its fiscal second quarter report will be better than anticipated.

Tokyo markets came back from Monday’s holiday there with gains.

The Nikkei 225 was up 0.55 percent to 16,401.73, while the Topix index added 0.95 percent to 1,566.83 and the Mothers market added 0.88 percent to 631.45.

With the United Auto Workers declaring a strike against General Motors (NYSE: GM) in the United States, Japanese carmakers saw gains.

Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was 1.2 percent higher to ¥6,640 and Honda Motor (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) was up 1.6 percent to ¥3,810.

Shippers were also higher after the Baltic Dry Index, which tracks bulk shipping fees, hit a new record.

Mitsui OSK (TYO: 9104) added 4.6 percent to ¥1,842, while Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (TYO: 9107) gained 5 percent to ¥1,716.

It was Mitsui’s highest close since the beginning of August and a record high close for Kawasaki Kisen.

The real estate sector saw gains as well.

Mitsui Fudosan (TYO: 8801; NAS: MDSFF) was 4.1 percent higher to ¥2,955, while Mitsubishi Estate (TYO: 8802) was up 4.2 percent to ¥3,090.

Tokyo’s markets were lower in limited trade on Friday ahead of another three-day weekend.

The Nikkei 225 was down 0.62 percent to 16,312.61, while the Topix index fell 0.94 percent to 1,552.07 and the Mothers market was 0.37 percent lower to 625.93.

Exporters were lower as the yen gained value versus the US dollar and investors worried that sales in the US could decline.

Among carmakers, Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) dropped 1.9 percent to ¥6,560 while Honda Motor (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) was down 3.1 percent to ¥3,750.

In the electronics sector, Sony was 1.8 percent lower to ¥5,340 while camera maker Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) fell 2.2 percent to ¥6,150.

Sharp (TYO: 6753) and Pioneer (TYO: 6773) were both lower after reports that each company will buy shares in the other.

Sharp dropped 2 percent to ¥1,920 and Pioneer was 2.2 percent lower to ¥1,370.

The consumer finance sector was lower for a second day in a row following Thursday’s announcement of losses by UFJ Nicos (TYO: 8583).

Acom (TYO: 8572) dropped 8.8 percent to ¥2,335, while UFJ Nicos fell another 13 percent to ¥207, Aiful (TYO: 8515) slipped 13.7 percent to ¥1,494 and Takefuji (TYO: 8564) was 13.8 percent lower to ¥2,000.

Commodities-related shares, however, saw gains as prices rose.

In the oil sector, Inpex (TYO: 1605) gained 2.5 percent to ¥1.22 million, while Sumitomo Metal Mining (TYO: 5713) added 5.1 percent to ¥2,770.

Equities markets were mixed in Tokyo on Thursday, with the real estate sector higher but the consumer finance and semiconductors sectors in decline.

The Nikkei 225 was 0.2 percent higher to 16,413.79, but the Topix index retreated slightly and was down 0.05 percent to 1,566.84.

The Mothers market of small and mid-caps also declined, falling 0.81 percent to 628.23.

The consumer finance sector was down substantially after UFJ Nicos (TYO: 8583) said that instead of a profit it would lose ¥100 billion this fiscal year.

Nicos, which is part of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU), was 13.4 percent lower to ¥241.

Elsewhere in the sector Aiful (TYO: 8515) dropped 11 percent to ¥1,732, while Acom (TYO: 8572) was down 7.8 percent to ¥2,560 and Promise (TYO: 8574) fell 4.5 percent to ¥2,655.

The semiconductors sector also saw declines after analysts at Dramexchange said that the price of computer memory will decline next quarter due to oversupply.

Chip-making equipment maker Advantest (TYO: 6857; NYSE: ATE) was 4.7 percent lower to ¥3,690, while Tokyo Electron (TYO: 8035) dropped 4.9 percent to ¥7,340.

The real estate sector was higher on a government report that said commercial land prices were higher in the year ending in June.

Mitsui Fudosan (TYO: 8801; NAS: MDSFF) gained 1.6 percent to ¥2,860, while Sumitomo Realty & Development (TYO: 8830) added 1.7 percent to ¥3,610.

Tokyo’s equities markets saw significant gains Wednesday after the Fed’s move to cut US interest rates on Tuesdady and after the Bank of Japan voted Wednesday to hold its overnight rate at 0.5 percent.

Most analysts had expected the Japanese central bank to keep rates at their present level.

The Nikkei 225 added 3.67 percent to 16,381.54, while the Topix index gained 3.75 percent to 1,567.58 and the Mothers market was up 2.08 percent to 633.34.

Banks were higher on the session.

Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was 4.5 percent higher to ¥632,000, while Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) added 5.8 percent to ¥821,000 and Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) gained 6.1 percent to ¥1.05 million for its biggest one-day gain in nearly two years.

Soaring oil prices sent shares related to that sector higher.

AOC Holdings (TYO: 5017) was up 4.3 percent to ¥1,812, while refiner Cosmo Oil (TYO: 5007) was 6.3 percent higher to ¥578 after it said that International Petroleum Investment Co, Abu Dhabi’s state-controlled oil company, will become its biggest shareholder by purchasing a 20.85 percent stake.

Trader Itochu (TYO: 8001), which deals in industrial fuel, added 6.7 percent to ¥1,328.

Oil explorer Inpex jumped 8.9 percent to ¥1.22 million for its biggest one-day gain since it listed in 2006.

Exporters also saw gains on hopes that the Fed’s move will support demand in the United States.

Camera maker Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) added 3.5 percent to ¥6,300, while Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) and Nintendo (TYO: 7974; NAS: NTDOY; FWB: NTO) gained 5.4 percent to ¥58,600.

Tokyo’s markets were lower on Tuesday as they reopened after Monday’s Respect for the Aged Day holiday.

The Nikkei 225 dropped 2.02 percent to 15,801.80, while the Topix index fell 2.19 percent to 1,510.95 and the Mothers market was 2.64 percent lower to 620.42.

Banks were lower on continuing fallout from Northern Rock’s (LSE: NRK) problems in the UK and on expectations that several US investment banks will report quarterly losses later in the week.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) dropped 3.9 percent to ¥990,000, the first time it has fallen below the ¥1 million level in just over two years.

Besides the general disorder in the banking sector, Mitsubishi UFJ was also sent lower by a report that its US unit was fined nearly $32 million in the US over inadequate protections against money laundering.

Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) was down 5.1 percent to ¥776,000 and Mizuho ( TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) fell 7.9 percent to ¥605,000.

Non-bank lenders also had a bad day of it. Acom (TYO: 8572; OTC: ACMU) was 5.6 percent lower to ¥2,765, while Aiful (TYO: 8515) dropped 9.7 percent to ¥1,855 and Credia (TYO: 8567) plummeted 32 percent to ¥167 after it filed for bankruptcy protection, saying that it will have problems raising capital and repaying debt.

Most exporters fared little better, but camera and office equipment manufacturer Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) added 1.7 percent to ¥6,090 as it announced a share buyback worth as much as ¥50 billion.

Carmaker Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was down 2.1 percent to ¥6,390 and electronics giant Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) fell 2.2 percent to ¥5,300 on fears that the US economy could be affected by problems in the credit markets.

The Tokyo equities markets were higher Friday after the yen weakened, sending export-focused stocks higher.

The Nikkei 225 was 1.94 percent higher to 16,127.42.

The Topix index gained 1.43 percent to 1,544.71, while the Mother’s market was up 1.34 percent to 637.25.

In the electronics sector, Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) was up 2.1 percent to ¥5,420.

Digital camera maker Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) added 2.7 percent to ¥5,990, while Matsushita Electric Industrial (TYO: 6572; NYSE: MC) gained 3.9 percent to ¥2,045 on an upgrade from “neutral” to “buy” from Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS).

Game console manufacturer Nintendo (TYO: 7974; NAS: NTDOY; FWB: NTO) jumped 5.6 percent to ¥55,100 on sales of its Wii console, which sold many more units than Sony’s PlayStation 3 in August in the United States.

Among carmakers, Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was up 2.4 percent to ¥6,530 on reports that it will build its first new factory in Japan in nearly 20 years.

Banks gained on a JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM; TYO: 8634) recommendation to buy.

Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) was 3.9 percent higher to ¥821,000, while Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) added 4 percent to ¥1.04 million and Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was up 4.5 percent to ¥657,000.

Brewer Sapporo (TYO: 2501) gained 7.9 percent to ¥742 on a possible bid from Steel Partners, a US hedge fund.

Tokyo’s markets were mixed on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned, citing health reasons.

Mr. Abe was hospitalized on Thursday for an undisclosed ailment.

While the Nikkei 225 gained 0.15 percent to 15,821.19, the Topix index dropped 0.35 percent to 1,522.87 and the Mothers market was down 3.03 percent to 628.83.

Stocks with ties to Mr. Abe’s most likely successor, Taro Aso, gained early in the session but were down by the end of the day.

Aso Foam Crete (TYO: 1730), a construction firm run by Mr. Aso’s family, was up 19 percent early but ended the session 3.8 percent lower to ¥375.

Used book store Mandarake (TYO: 2652), which had been much higher Wednesday on the strength of Mr. Aso’s reputed fondness for comic books, was 6 percent lower Thursday to ¥410,000.

More seriously, the banking sector was lower on reports that the government will cut its appraisal of the nation’s economy for September based on weak industrial production.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was down 2 percent to ¥1 million, while Sumitomo Mitusi (TYO: 8316) dropped 3.4 percent to ¥790,000.

The pharmaceuticals sector, however, was higher on the session.

Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) added 1.9 percent to ¥7,980, while Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) gained 2.7 percent to ¥5,340.

Both drug makers have spent billions of yen so far this year on stock buybacks and are expected to spend even more.