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 joined the rest of Asia’s equities markets in declines on Friday.

The Nikkei 225 was 0.73 percent lower to 17.331.17, while the Topix index dropped 1.08 percent to 1,659.48 and the Mothers market of small and mid-caps fell 0.04 percent to 881.49.

Technology-related shares were lower.

Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) dropped 4.3 percent to ¥5,530 after a report showing that profits were down in its joint venture with Ericsson (NAS: ERIC) to make mobile phones.

Businesses related to the manufacture of semiconductors were lower on downgrades from Goldman Sachs.

Tokyo Electron (TYO: 8035) dropped 1.2 percent to ¥7,300 after its rating was dropped from “buy” to “neutral”.

Nikon (TYO: 7731), which makes machines that put circuitry on silicon wafers, was down 8 percent to ¥3,910 on a downgrade from “neutral” to “sell”, while chip making equipment maker Dainippon Screen (TYO: 7735) fell 8.6 percent to ¥692 after being downgraded from “buy” to “sell”.

In the retail sector, Fast Retailing (TYO: 9983) was 6 percent lower to ¥7,060 after full-year results showed that net income was down by 21 percent in the year ending 31 August, less than had been predicted earlier.

Tokyo’s markets also saw gains.

The Nikkei 225 was up 1.19 percent to 17,046.78, ending the session above 17,000 for the first time in nearly two months.

The Topix index was 1.48 percent higher to 1,639.79, while the Mothers market of small and mid-caps added 2.83 percent to 756.29.

The gains came on advances in the banking sector after US bank Citigroup (NYSE: C) said that earnings will return to “normal” in the current quarter.

Also helping gains was a prediction by former US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan that the credit slump could be over, and new data from the US signaled a possible further cut in interest rates.

Among banks, Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) added 2.6 percent to ¥661,000 while Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) gained 3.9 percent to ¥915,000 and Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was up 5.6 percent to ¥1,114.

Elsewhere, electronics giant Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) was 4.3 percent higher to ¥5,890 on Monday’s announcement that the initial public offering of its insurance division had brought in ¥320 billion as well as on the news that it will partner with the Qimonda unit of Infineon (FWB: IFX; NYSE: IFX) to develop DRAM chips for cameras and mobile phones.

Chipmaker Elpida (TYO: 6665) dropped 3.7 percent to ¥3,940 on concerns that it could lose market share to the new partnership.

On the other hand, companies that make chip-testing equipment saw gains.

Tokyo Electron (TYO: 8035) was 4.3 percent higher to ¥7,560 while Advantest (TYO: 6857; NYSE: ATE) added 5 percent to ¥3,750.

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 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.

Equities markets in Tokyo were lower on Monday.

The Nikkei 225 was 2.22 percent lower to 15,764.97.

The Topix index dropped 2.04 percent to 1,525.22 and the Mothers market was down 4.13 percent to 675.71.

The real estate sector was again instrumental in the declines as it fell 4.2 percent as a whole.

Sumitomo Realty & Development (TYO: 8830) was 4.5 percent lower to ¥3,160 and Mitsui Fudosan (TYO: 8801; NAS: MDSFF) dropped 4.7 percent to ¥2,550.

The financial services sector also saw declines once again.

Broker Nomura Holdings (TYO: 8604; NYSE: NMR; SGX: N33) was down 3.3 percent to ¥1,827, its lowest in almost two years.

Banks were mixed, however.

While Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was 2.8 percent lower to ¥1.03 million, Tokyo Star Bank Ltd. (TYO: 8384) gained 14 percent to ¥334,000 on reports that Advantage Partners might be interested to the tune of ¥410,000 per share.

Among export-focused sectors, the electronics sector was lower on broker downgrades.

Consumer electronics and entertainment giant Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) dropped 6 percent to ¥5,300 after CLSA dropped its recommendation from “buy” to “underperform”, while camera manufacturer Canon (TYO: 7751; NYSE: CAJ) fell 3.7 percent to ¥6,050 on a downgrade from “overweight” to “underweight” from HSBC Securities (LSE: HSBA; NYSE: HBC; Euronext: HSBC; SEHK: 005).

The real estate sector took a hit in Tokyo Wednesday, with the exchange’s properties sector index dropping 4.2 percent on the session on overvaluation concerns.

The declines helped send the Nikkei 225 down 1.6 percent to 16,158.45, while the Topix index dropped 1.71 percent to 1,569.47.

The Mothers market fell 2.23 percent to 717.07.

Among properties groups, Mitsubishi Estate (TYO: 8802) was 3.8 percent lower to ¥2,895 and Mitsui Fudosan (TYO: 8801; NAS: MDSFF) dropped 4.1 percent to ¥2,780.

In a related sector, Daiwa House Industry (TYO: 1925) was 3.2 percent lower to ¥1,471 after its chairman said that it wants to cut costs locally, where it fears land prices could collapse, and expand in China.

Banks were also lower.

Sumitomo Mitusi Financial Group (TYO: 8316) fell 1.5 percent to ¥872,000, its lowest share price in two years, while Mizuho Financial Group (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) dropped 2.4 percent to ¥702,000.

There were gainers on the session.

Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) was 2.3 percent higher to ¥5,740 on the news that it is planning an IPO of its financial unit in Tokyo next month.

Meanwhile, new department store chain J-Front Retailing (TYO: 3086), created by the merger of Daimaru (TYO: 8234) and Matsuzakaya (TYO: 8235), added 6 percent to ¥975 when Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) initiated coverage with a “buy” recommendation and a target share price of ¥1,200.

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.

In Tokyo the Nikkei 225 was up 0.88 percent Thursday to 16,153.82, while the Topix index added 0.69 percent to 1,568.23 and the Mothers market gained a bare 0.03 percent to 716.29.

Volume was low, with only around 1.52 billion shares trading hands during the session.

Traders were up on higher oil prices.

Mitsubishi Corp (TYO: 8058; OTC: MSBHY) was up 3.7 percent to ¥3,080, while Mitsui & Company (TYO: 8031) was 1.4 percent higher to ¥2,260 on reports that it has won a contract in conjunction with a South Korean engineering and construction group to build a diesel processing plant in Egypt.

Also higher on higher oil prices was refiner Nippon Oil (TYO: 5001), which added 4.3 percent to ¥937.

Electronics-related companies were also higher after the yen weakened.

Sony (TYO: 6758; NYSE: SNE) gained 1.2 percent to ¥5,290, while rival game-console maker Nintendo (TYO: 7974; NAS: NTDOY; FWB: NTO) was up 2.5 percent to ¥53,300 in Osaka.

Retailers were down on the session after new data revealed that retail sales were down by 2.2 percent in July against an expected drop of only 0.8 percent.

Mitsukoshi Ltd (TYO: 2779) was 2.4 percent lower to ¥521, while clothing retailer Fast Retailing fell 3.1 percent to ¥6,670.