In Tokyo on Thursday, the Nikkei 225 had its highest close in 11 weeks as it added 1.64 percent to 17,458.98, while the Topix index was 1.17 percent higher to 1,677.52 and the Mothers market jumped 2.87 percent to 881.81.

The gain came after Moody’s Investor Service increased its rating on Japan’s debt to A1, saying that the new prime minister will work to cut the nation’s debt.

The retail sector was higher on news and an upgrade.

Convenience store operator Lawson Inc (TYO: 2651) added 1.1 percent to ¥3,780 on its report that profits were up 21 percent in the quarter ending 31 August and after it announced a stock buy-back program.

FamilyMart Co (TYO: 8028) was up 1.6 percent to ¥3,130 on a broker upgrade to “outperform”, while Aeon (TYO: 8267) gained 4.4 percent to ¥1,863 on the announcement that it will partner with a Chinese company to open up to 30 shopping malls in China.

Shippers were also higher.

Kawasaki Kisen (TYO: 9107) was up 3.5 percent to ¥1,731, while Nippon Yusen (TYO: 9101) jumped 5.1 percent to ¥1,213.

Losers included supplies of parts for Boeing’s (NYSE: BA; TYO: 7661) 787 Dreamliner aircraft, after the US aerospace group announced that deliveries of the first planes would be delayed by six months.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (TYO: 7011) dropped 1.2 percent to ¥719, while Kawasaki Heavy Industries (TYO: 7012) was down 2.2 percent to ¥444.

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 saw declines on Tuesday.

The Nikkei 225 fell 0.63 percent to 16,420.47 and the Topix index dropped 0.7 percent to 1,596.74, while the Mothers market was 0.1 percent lower to 733.41.

The utilities sector was lower after Kansai Electric Power (TYO: 9503) had halt power generation at a nuclear facility in western Japan due to a leak of radioactivity inside the plant.

Kansai dropped 2 percent to ¥2,690, while Tokyo Electric Power (TYO: 9501) dropped 1.6 percent to ¥3,030 on the news.

Clothing retailer Fast Retailing (TYO: 9983) was 3.6 percent lower to ¥6,490 on its declaration that it will continue to pursue acquisitions after recently failing to buy Barney’s New York.

The real estate sector was down 1.8 percent as a whole on the news that capital spending was down by 47 percent in the sector from the same quarter last year.

Mitsubishi Estate (TYO: 8802) dropped 1 percent to ¥3,010, while Mitsui Fudosan (TYO: 8801; NAS: MDSFF) was down 2.7 percent to ¥2,900.

House builder Sekisui House (TYO: 1928; OTC: SKHSY) fell 3.7 percent to ¥1,425.

In the transport sector, Kawasaki Kisen (TYO: 9107) dropped 0.78 percent to ¥1,535 and Mitsui OSK Lines (TYO: 9104) was down 1.1 percent to ¥1,725 after the price of dry freight rose again.

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.

After posting gains early in the session, the Nikkei 225 ended the session in Tokyo at 0.09 percent lower on Tuesday to 16,287.49 and the Topix index fell 0.2 percent to 1,584.6.

The Mothers market, however, managed a gain of 0.04 percent to 731.34.

Shippers were higher after Standard & Poor’s raised the credit rating of several companies to BBB.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (TYO: 9107) added 1.2 percent to ¥1,485, while Nippon Yusen (TYO: 9101) was up 1.4 percent to ¥1,123 and Mitsui OSK (TYO: 9104) gained 1.5 percent to ¥1,652.

Nippon Sheet Glass (TYO: 5202) was 4.8 percent higher to ¥673 after Daiwa Securities (TYO: 8601) raised its recommendation to “buy”, while robot maker Yaskawa Electric Corp (TYO: 6506) gained 4.1 percent to ¥1,346 as Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER; TYO: 8675) began coverage with a “buy” rating.

Banks were lower on the session, with Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) down 1.8 percent to ¥1.11 million and Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) was 1.9 percent lower to ¥902,000.

In the electronics sector, Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) dropped 0.6 percent to ¥5,380 and Matsushita Electric Industrial (TYO: 6572; NYSE: MC) fell 1.5 percent to ¥2,000.

Tokyo’s markets were lower Friday.

The Nikkei 225 fell 0.41 percent to 16,248.97, while the Topix index was down 0.37 percent to 1,585.85 and the Mothers market declined 1.79 percent to 726.77.

The electronics sector was mixed.

Matsushita Electric Industrial (TYO: 6572; NYSE: MC) fell 0.5 percent to ¥2,015, although Toshiba (TYO: 6502; LSE: TOS) added 1.4 percent to ¥1,068.

Optical glass manufacturer Hoya (TYO: 7741; OTC: HOCP) dropped 3.4 percent to ¥3,930.

Honda Motor (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) was 0.5 percent lower to ¥3,700.

Elsewhere in the auto sector, however, Hino Motors (TYO: 7205) and Isuzu Motors (TYO: 7202) were both higher on rumors that were denied by both parties that they would join to develop lower-emission diesel engines.

Isuzu added 2 percent to ¥565, while Hino was 3.3 percent higher to ¥782.

Shippers were higher on the session.

Mitsui OSK Lines (TYO: 9104) was up 1.1 percent to ¥1,619, while Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (TYO: 9107) gained 1.2 percent to ¥1,619 and Nippon Yusen (TYO: 9101) advanced 1.8 percent to ¥1,116.

Camera makers were also higher, with Nikon (TYO: 7731) adding 2.7 percent to ¥3,370 and Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) gaining 3.7 percent to ¥6,490.

Tokyo’s markets were higher on the session as the Nikkei 225 added 1.07 percent to 15,901.34 and the Topix index was up 1.73 percent to 1,549.88 after the Bank of Japan put another ¥800 billion into the system.

The Mothers index gained 1.23 percent to 703.72.

The steel sector, seen as a safer place for investors to put their money, was up on the day.

JFE (TYO: 5411) was 3.4 percent higher to ¥7,300, while Nippon Steel (TYO: 5401) gained 4.3 percent to ¥777.

Shippers were also higher, with Kawasaki Kisen (TYO: 9107) up 2.6 percent to ¥1,394 and Nippon Yusen (TYO: 9101) adding 3 percent to ¥1,065.

In the electronics sector, Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) added 1.3 percent to ¥5,280, but Matsushita Electric Industrial (TYO: 6572; NYSE: MC) was down 1.7 percent to ¥1,918.

In the semiconductors sector, chip-testing equipment maker Advantest (TYO: 6857; NYSE: ATE) was down 1.8 percent to ¥4,260 after it said that profits were 13 percent lower in its fiscal first quarter.

Tokyo’s equities markets were higher on Tuesday.

The Nikkei 225 added 0.3 percent to 16,844.61, while the Topix index was up 0.3 percent to 1,637.46.

The Mothers market gained 0.62 percent to 722.26.

General traders, significantly lower in recent sessions, did better on the day.

Mitsubishi Corp (TYO: 8058; OTC: MSBHY) was 4.2 percent higher to ¥3,090, while Itochu (TYO: 8001) added 6.9 percent to ¥1,323.

Itochu had dropped 18 percent since the beginning of the month.

Home appliance retailers did very well as continued temperatures of over 35 degrees centigrade (95 degrees Fahrenheit) boosted sales of air conditioners.

Kojima (TYO: 7513) was 5.8 percent higher to ¥998, while Edion (TYO: 2730) jumped 9.9 percent to ¥1,210.

Shippers did better on the possibility that rates for shipping could go up as carriers worked near capacity.

Nippon Yusen (TYO: 9101) was up 3.4 percent to ¥1,147, while Kawasaki Kisen (TYO: 9107) added 4.3 percent to ¥1,549 and Mitsui OSK Lines (TYO: 9104) gained 4.6 percent to ¥1,698.

Declines came in financial services as subprime market worries continued.

Among banks, Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) was 1 percent lower to ¥978,000, while Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was down 1.7 percent to ¥1.14 million for its lowest close in nearly 2 years.

Insurer Millea Holdings (TYO: 8766) dropped 2.1 percent to ¥4,690.

Tokyo’s markets were mixed Monday.

While the Nikkei 225 gained 0.21 percent to 16,800.05, the Topix index dropped 0.08 percent to 1,632.64.

The Mothers market of small and mid-caps was up 0.65 percent to 767.49.

Shares related to commodities were higher during the day.

Sumitomo Metal Mining (TYO: 5405) gained 4.4 percent to ¥2,380, while metals smelter Mitsubishi Materials (TYO: 5711) was 9.8 percent higher to ¥639.

After losing 17 percent last week, Cosmo Oil (TYO: 5007) was up 4.2 percent to ¥547.

Shippers were up as well.

Mitsui OSK Lines (TYO: 9104) gained 1.5 percent to ¥1,623, while Kawasaki Kisen (TYO: 9107) added 3.9 percent to ¥1,485.

On the other hand, financial services and the retail sector were both lower.

Sumitomo Mitusi Financial Group (TYO: 8316) dropped 1.2 percent to ¥988,000, while insurer Mitsui Sumitomo (TYO: 8752) was 4.6 percent lower to ¥1,364.

Credit card issuer Credit Saison (TYO: 8253) was 5.3 percent lower to ¥2,840 after it said that it has seen costs related to bad loans go up by 41 percent.

In the retail sector, Aeon (TYO: 8267) was down 5.3 percent to ¥1,857, while electronics retailer Yamada Denki (TYO: 9831) fell 6.8 percent to ¥11,640.

Sell-offs in the shipping sector prevented the Tokyo equities markets from advancing on Thursday. The Nikkei 225 closed even at 17,292.48, while the Topix index closed 0.5 percent lower to 1,720.18. The Nikkei was prevent from dropping mainly by export-focused sectors which saw gains due to weakness in the yen.

The shipping sector fell 5.1 percent as a whole on the session. The declines came after Nippon Yusen, the largest shipper in Japan, cut its prediction on operating profits for its fiscal year, which ends in March. Yusen fell 7.8 percent to ¥904. The news helped send Kawasaki Kisen 4.2 percent lower to ¥1,044 even though it raised its estimate on operating profits by ¥1 billion, to ¥61 billion. Mitsui OSK Lines dropped 3.5 percent to ¥1,225.

Among export-focused sectors, electrical machinery added 0.5 percent on the day, while transport equipment gained 0.3 percent. Advantest gained 2.2 percent to ¥5,570. Honda Motor was 1.7 percent higher to ¥4,710.

The telecommunications sector was higher. KDDI added 1.8 percent to ¥925,000 after it gained the most subscribers of any Japanese telecom in the latest figures released. NTT DoCoMo gained 4.4 percent to ¥215,000.

Chugai Pharmaceutical was 6.2 percent higher to ¥2,835 on a statement from Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche that it was thinking about raising its stake. Roche already owns half of Chugai. The drug maker was also helped by an upgrade from “hold” to “buy” from Nikko Citigroup.