Japanese shares surge 4.55% to six-month high

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TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Nikkei index soared 4.55 percent to a six-month closing high of nearly 9,400 after a three-day holiday when global markets rallied.

The benchmark Nikkei-225 index rose 408.33 points, or 4.55 percent, from Friday to 9,385.70, marking a new closing high since Nov. 5.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 39.08 points, or 4.61 percent, to 885.93.

Tokyo stocks gained momentum from the New York and other Asian markets which had risen for several consecutive trading days during Japan's Golden Week holidays.

Stocks rose across the board, with financial stocks leading the surge. Insurance, banking and securities issues were among the most notable gainers following the strong performance of their U.S. counterparts.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the day's value leader, was up 84 yen, or almost 16 percent, to 617 yen, while Mizuho Financial Group, the day's volume leader, gained 25 yen, or 12 percent, to 232 yen.

Trading volume on the main section came to 3,109.02 million shares, up remarkably from Friday's 2,247.50 million.

The TSE's Second Section index rose 28.96 points, or 1.52 percent, to 1,928.83 on a volume of 38.24 million shares. On the Osaka Securities Exchange, the near-term June Nikkei 225 index futures contract was up 340 points to 9,370.

Toyota reports 461 bln yen operating loss in FY 2008

Stocks of new Toyota cars are parked in a lot in Onnaing's Toyota plant near Valenciennes, northern France, April 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters FilePhoto)
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TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Toyota on Friday reported a consolidated operating loss of 461.01 billion yen (4.66 billion U.S. dollars) in fiscal 2008 ending March 31, the first operating loss in 71 years.

As car sales are still on the decrease amid the
global financial crisis, the largest Japanese automaker projected an operating
loss of 850 billion yen (8.59 billion dollars) in fiscal 2009.

Meanwhile, Toyota also registered a group net loss of
436.94 billion yen (4.41 billion dollars) in fiscal 2008, compared with a
record-high profit of 1.72 trillion yen (17.37 billion dollars) for the previous
fiscal year.

For fiscal 2009, Toyota, which overtook General
Motors as the world's largest automaker in 2008, predicted a group net loss of
550 billion yen (5.55 billion dollars) on sales of 16.5 trillion yen (166.67
billion dollars).

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Fuji Heavy logs 70 bln yen net loss in FY 2008

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TOKYO, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. on Friday reported a consolidated net loss of 69.93 billion yen (706.36 million U.S. dollars) in fiscal 2008 ending March 31.

As car sales are still on the decrease amid the global financial crisis, the company further projected a loss of 55 billion yen (555.56 million dollars) in fiscal 2009.

According to Fuji Heavy, the sharp appreciation of the Japanese yen as well as the costs of releasing new cars also contributed to the company's first yearly net loss in 15 years.

Meanwhile, Fuji Heavy also predicted a loss of 40 billion yen (404.04 million dollars) in pretax loss on sales of 1.32 trillion yen (13.33 billion dollars), down by 8.7 percent on the previous year.

Dollar trades in lower 100 yen range

TOKYO, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar moved in a tight range in the
lower 100 yen level Friday.

At 5 p.m., the dollar was quoted at 100.45-48 yen versus Thursday's 5 p.m.
quotes of 100.38-48 yen in New York and 100.14-15 yen in Tokyo. It moved between
100.21 yen and 100.74 yen during the day, changing hands most frequently at
100.65 yen.

The euro traded at 1.3127-3130 dollars and 131.89-93 yen against
1.3165-3175 dollars and 132.05-15 yen in New York and 1.3312-3315 dollars and
133.32-36 yen in Tokyo late Thursday.