Tokyo’s markets made gains Friday.

The Nikkei 225 was up 1.36 percent to 16,505.63, while the Topix index added 1.67 percent to 1,573.97 and the Mothers market jumped 4.73 percent to 930.77.

With oil prices in record territory above $90 per barrel, traders saw gains.

Mitsubishi Corp. (TYO: 8058; OTC: MSBHY) was 4 percent higher to ¥3,640 while Mitsui & Co. (TYO: 8031) gained 5.6 percent to ¥3,030.

In the oil sector, Inpex (TYO: 1605) added 3.3 percent to ¥1.27 million.

Automobile manufacturers were higher after Honda (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) reported that profits were up by 63 percent in its fiscal second quarter and raised its full-year income outlook by 8 percent.

Honda’s shares added 8.9 percent to ¥4,040 on the news, while Nissan Motor (TYO: 7201) was up 3.2 percent to ¥1,124 and Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was 4.9 percent higher to ¥6,240.

Quarterly results also helped Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE), which added 8.8 percent to ¥5,560 after fiscal second quarter profits were higher than expected and Nomura raised its recommendation on the electronics and entertainment conglomerate from “neutral” to “strong buy”.

On the other hand, office equipment manufacturer Ricoh (TYO: 7752) fell 4.2 percent to ¥2,280 after half-year income results were poorer than expected and Credit Suisse dropped its recommendation to “neutral”.

Tokyo’s markets were lower on the session Tuesday.

The Nikkei 225 was down 1.27 percent to 17,137.92 and the Topix index was 1.94 percent lower to 1,625.25, while the Mothers market dropped 3.98 percent to 833.11.

There were big losses in financial services of various kinds and in the real estate sector.

Banks were lower on new concerns about the subprime mortgage crisis.

Mizuho Financial (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was 5.1 percent lower to ¥631,000 and Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was down 6 percent to ¥1,059.

Nomura Holdings (TYO: 8604; NYSE: NMR; SGX: N33), meanwhile was 0.5 percent lower to ¥2,070.

In the consumer finance sector Acom (TYO: 8572) dropped 4 percent to ¥2,305 and Orix (TYO: 8591) fell 6.6 percent to ¥25,230, while Takefuji (TYO: 8564) was down 7.2 percent to ¥2,380.

Meanwhile, in the real estate sector, Sumitomo Realty (TYO: 8830) was 2.9 percent lower to ¥3,980 and Pacific Management (TYO: 8902) dropped 8.1 percent to ¥159,000.

There were gains in the oil sector after crude oil prices soared above the $86 per barrel level in the US on Monday.

Inpex (TYO: 1605) added 2.4 percent to ¥1.3 million while refiner Cosmo Oil gained 3.3 percent to ¥527.

Tokyo’s markets were mixed on Wednesday.

The Nikkei 225 was 0.1 percent higher to 17,177.89, but the Topix index dropped 0.11 percent to 1,658.18 and the Mothers market was down 1.75 percent to 857.19.

Retailers saw gains on news of a cooperation agreement between Aeon (TYO: 8267) and Japan Airlines (TYO: 9205) in which the retailer will link its electronic money card to the airline’s frequent flyer miles program.

Aeon added 6.2 percent to ¥1,784, while Japan Airlines gained 4.3 percent to ¥265.

Elsewhere in the retail sector, department store operator Takashimaya (TYO: 8233) was 3.2 percent higher to ¥1,329 on better recommendations from Mizuho Securities and Nikko Citigroup.

Mizuho raised its recommendation from “reduce” to “hold”, while Nikko upped their rating on the retailer from “hold” to “buy”.

Elsewhere in the sector, Seven & I (TYO: 3382) was up 3.7 percent to ¥3,090 while supermarket chain Daiei (TYO: 8263; NAS: DAIEY) added 6.3 percent to ¥940.

Traders and commodities-related groups were higher after oil and metals prices rose overnight.

In the oil sector, Inpex (TYO: 1605) was up 3.4 percent to ¥1.21 million, while Nippon Mining (TYO: 5016) gained 2.1 percent to ¥1,177.

Among traders, Mitsubishi and Mitsui & Co. each added 1.4 percent, to ¥3,520 and ¥2,810 respectively.

Banks were lower, however. Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was down 1.1 percent to ¥703,000 while Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (TYO: 8316) dropped 2.5 percent to ¥948,000.

Tokyo’s markets were mixed on Friday’s session.

The Nikkei 225 dropped 0.16 percent to 17,065.04, but the Topix index added 0.08 percent to 1,656.91 while the Mothers market gained 3.98 percent to 848.78.

Decliners on the session included Casio Computer (TYO: 6952), which makes a diverse range of devices including watches and mobile phones.

Casio dropped 19 percent, its daily maximum, to ¥1,272 after it reported that net income in its fiscal first half dropped by 58 percent, spurring broker downgrades.

Elsewhere in the electronics sector, Matsushita Electric Industrial (TYO: 6572; NYSE: MC) fell 3.3 percent to ¥2,080.

Traders and the oil sector gained on higher oil prices.

Trader Mitsui & Co. (TYO: 8031) was 0.7 percent higher to ¥2,800.

In the oil sector, Inpex (TYO: 1605) gained 2.5 percent to ¥1.21 million, while AOC Holdings (TYO: 5017) added 2.6 percent to ¥1,769.

Retailer Aeon (TYO: 8267) was 3 percent higher to ¥1,672 on a report that its net income in its fiscal first half added 2.8 percent and as it announced a higher dividend for the full year and a stock buyback worth up to ¥70 billion.

There were also gains in the consumer finance sector.

Promise (TYO: 8574) was up 4.6 percent to ¥2,960 on reports that it will post a higher net income in the current fiscal year than had been estimated.

Acom (TYO: 8572; OTC: ACMU) added 5.2 percent to ¥2,840, while Aiful (TYO: 8515) jumped 17 percent to ¥2,115.

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’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.

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 Wednesday after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that he will resign.

He likely to be replaced, according to some political analysts, by former foreign minister and current Liberal Democratic Party secretary-general Taro Aso, although some in the Japanese media have speculated on the return of Mr. Abe’s predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi.

The news sent the Nikkei 225 down 0.5 percent to 15,797.60.

The Topix index dropped 0.27 percent to 1,528.27 while the Mothers market was 1.19 percent lower to 648.46.

The banking sector was instrumental in the session’s declines.

Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was down 2.4 percent to ¥648,000 while Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) fell 1.9 percent to ¥1.02 million.

Gains in commodities prices helped trader Mitsubishi Corp (TYO: 8058; OTC: MSBHY) gain 2.5 percent to ¥3,230.

In the oil sector, Inpex Holdings (TYO: 1605) added 5.6 percent to ¥1.13 million after West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed at a new high of $78.23 per barrel in New York on Tuesday.

Tokyo’s markets dropped again Friday on continuing worries about the condition of the property market there.

The Nikkei 225 was 0.83 percent lower to 16,122.16, while the Topix index dropped 0.73 percent to 1,557.02 and the Mothers market dipped 0.93 percent to 704.82.

The real estate sector was down 1.5 percent as a whole after the head of a major Japanese house builder said that the nation’s real estate price bubble could burst soon.

Sumitomo Realty & Development (TYO: 8830) fell 1.8 percent to ¥3,310.

In a related sector, house builder Daiwa House (TYO: 1925) was 1 percent lower to ¥1,435.

Banks were lower as well, dropping 2.2 percent as a sector.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was down 1.9 percent to ¥1.06 million, while Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (TYO: 8316) fell 3 percent to ¥846,000 and Mizuho Financial (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) dropped 3.4 percent to ¥678,000.

Exporters fell on the news that US house foreclosures were at an all-time high in the US in the second quarter.

Carmaker Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was 0.5 percent lower to ¥6,600, while Nintendo (TYO: 7974; NAS: NTDOY; FWB: NTO) was down 1.5 percent to ¥52,900 on the Osaka exchange and camera maker Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) dropped 2.3 percent to ¥6,280.

But some commodities-related shares were higher on higher prices for oil and gold.

Inpex (TYO: 1609) was up 1.9 percent to ¥1.07 million while Japan Petroleum Exploration (TYO: 1662) added 6.5 percent to ¥7,880.

Sumitomo Metal Mining (TYO: 5713) gained 2.2 percent to ¥2,340.

The Tokyo markets had the highest percentage gains in the Asia-Pacific region Friday, with the Nikkei 225 gaining 2.57 percent to 16,569.09 and the Topix adding 2.55 percent to 1,608.25.

The Mothers market saw a more modest gain of 1.87 percent to 729.66.

Stocks related to commodities were higher, with Sumitomo Metal Mining (TYO: 5405) up 5 percent to ¥2,300 and oil group Inpex (TYO: 1605) jumping 6 percent to ¥1.06 million.

Shippers were also higher.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (TYO: 9107) was 3.7 percent higher to ¥1,496, while Mitsui OSK (TYO: 9104) gained 4.3 percent to ¥1,706.

A weakening yen helped export-focused stocks.

Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) had its biggest gain since early January as it added 5.5 percent to ¥5,580, while carmaker Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was 3.7 percent higher to ¥6,760.

The paper sector saw gains after a report that Nippon Paper (TYO: 3893) and Rengo Co (TYO: 3941), Japan’s biggest cardboard producer, will combine their cardboard operations next year.

Nippon gained 3.5 percent to ¥390,000 and Rengo was 7.6 percent higher to ¥723.

Banks were initially lower after Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) reduced its profits forecasts on four investment banks, but Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) managed to bounce back from a 1.8 percent decline to a gain of 1.8 percent to ¥1.11 million. Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was up 2.7 percent to ¥733,000.