Tokyo’s markets gained on Monday.

The Nikkei 225 added 1.17 percent to 16,698.08, while the Topix index had its best day in a month with a gain of 2.07 percent to 1,606.49.

The Mothers market of small and mid-caps was up 3.7 percent to 965.17.

Carmakers were higher after Nissan (TYO: 7201) said that operating profit in its fiscal second quarter was up by 12 percent despite analyst sentiment that profits would be down in the quarter.

Nissan added 14.2 percent to ¥1,283, while Honda Motor (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) and Toyota Motor (NYSE: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) each gained 3 percent, to ¥4,160 and ¥6,430 respectively.

In addition, Calsonic Kansei (TYO: 7248), which makes parts for Nissan, added 6.9 percent to ¥620.

Banks were higher after US mortgage lender Countrywide Financial (NYSE: CFC) predicted that it would return to profit in the fourth quarter, raising sentiment that the worst of the subprime crisis could be over.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was up 4.7 percent to ¥1,091 while Mizuho Financial (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was 5.6 percent higher to ¥639,000 and Sumitomo Mitsui (TYO: 8316) added 9.5 percent to ¥919,000.

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”.

In Tokyo on Monday the Nikkei 225 fell 2.24 percent to 16,438.47 and the Topix index dropped 1.77 percent to 1,563.07, but the Mothers market of small and mid-caps managed a 1.04 percent gain to 911.42.

Exporters dropped as the yen strengthened in relation to the US dollar.

Construction machinery manufacturer Komatsu (TYO: 6301) was 2.9 percent lower to ¥3,720 after its US rival Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) cut its profits outlook on a downturn in sales in the United States.

Game console maker Nintendo (TYO: 7974; NAS: NTDOY; FWB: NTO) was also 2.9 percent lower to ¥64,800, while automobile manufacturers Toyota (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) and Honda (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) each fell 2.1 percent, to ¥6,120 and ¥3,750 respectively.

It was Honda’s lowest close in a month and a 14-month low for Toyota.

Banks were still in the doldrums, with Mitsubishi UFJ trading even at ¥1,027 after early-session declines and Sumitomo Mitsui down 0.6 percent to ¥832,000 even though the consumer finance sector, in which they hold stakes, was much higher on the session.

Acom (TYO: 8572) gained 14 percent to ¥3,000 while Aiful (TYO: 8515) added 18 percent to ¥2,670.

In Tokyo on Friday the Nikkei 225 dropped 1.71 percent to 16,814.37 and the Topix index fell 1.64 percent to 1,591.28.

On the other hand, the Mothers market added 2.06 percent on the session to 902.03.

Banks were lower after Thursday’s report from US bank Bank of America (NYSE: BAC; TYO: 8648) that its profits had dropped by 32 percent in the third quarter.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was down 1.3 percent to ¥1,027 while Mizuho (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) was 2.2 percent lower to ¥616,000.

The consumer finance sector, however, saw gains after Acom (TYO: 8572) issued a preliminary report that its operating profit was up by 63 percent in its fiscal first half.

Acom jumped 18 percent to ¥2,640, while Takefuji (TYO: 8564) gained 17 percent to ¥2,700 and Aiful (TYO: 8515) added 15 percent to ¥2,270.

Exporters saw declines as the yen strengthened against the US dollar.

Toyota Motor (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was 1.6 percent lower to ¥6,250.

Among domestically-focused shares, cement manufacturers were lower on downgrades from Mizuho.

Taiheiyo Cement dropped 3.5 percent to ¥356, while Sumitomo Osaka Cement fell 5.5 percent to ¥260.

Tokyo’s markets were lower on the session Wednesday after banks declined on news from US bank Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) that it had lost $892 million to bad home equity and consumer loans in the third quarter and that earnings will likely be hurt in the fourth quarter as well.

The Nikkei 225 was 1.07 percent lower to 16,955.31 while the Topix index dropped 1.54 percent to 1,600.29 and the Mothers market fell 1.05 percent to 824.34.

Mitsubishi UFJ (TYO: 8306; NYSE: MTU) was down 4 percent to ¥1,017 and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (TYO: 8316) dropped 5.8 percent to ¥823,000.

Brokerage Nomura Holdings (TYO: 8604; NYSE: NMR; SGX: N33) fell 5.7 percent to ¥1,955.

Declines were also fed by losses in the steel and shipping sectors after the newly proposed rules in India there had investors worried about a slowing economy there if foreign money pulls out of the market.

In the steel sector, JFE Holdings (TYO: 5411) was 3.8 percent lower to ¥7,670, while shipper Mitsui OSK (TYO: 9104) dropped 3.4 percent to ¥1,930.

Some exporters were also lower on the day as the yen strengthened versus the US dollar.

Carmaker Toyota (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) was down 2 percent to ¥6,280 and game console manufacturer Nintendo (TYO: 7974; NAS: NTDOY; FWB: NTO) fell 3.1 percent to ¥68,400.

Toymaker and distributor Tomy (TYO: 7867), however, added 8.3 percent to ¥744 said that profits doubled in its first half on sales of Transformer toys and Nintendo consoles.

Tokyo’s markets were mixed on the session Monday.

The Nikkei 225 added 0.16 percent to 17,358.15, but the Topix index dropped 0.12 percent to 1,657.44 and the Mothers market was down 1.57 percent to 867.62.

Carmakers were lower after HSBC Holdings said that Toyota (TYO: 7203.T; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT) will likely see profits weaken in the second half of its current fiscal year as the US economy slows down.

Toyota was 1.7 percent lower to ¥6,450, while Honda (TYO: 7267; NYSE: HMC) dropped 2 percent to ¥3,930.

Miners were higher.

Nippon Mining (TYO: 5016), which has interests in oil, coal and non-ferrous metals, added 1.6 percent to ¥1,196, while Sumitomo Metal Mining (TYO: 5713) gained 2.3 percent to ¥2,915 and Mitsui Mining (TYO: 5706) was up 4.2 percent to ¥2,915.

In the semiconductors sector, chipmakers were lower but makers of equipment related to making and testing chips saw gains.

Rohm (TYO: 6963) was down 0.7 percent to ¥10,120 and Toshiba (TYO: 6502; LSE: TOS) dropped 1.6 percent to ¥1,036 after Nomura dropped its recommendation on the sector from “bullish” to “neutral”.

However Tokyo Electron (TYO: 8035) was up 2.9 percent to ¥7,510 while Advantest (TYO: 6857; NYSE: ATE) added 6.4 percent to ¥3,850.

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.

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.